Texas State Representative Introduces Bill To Force Texas And Texas A&M To Resume Rivalry

Football in Texas is serious business.

The University of Texas and Texas A&M University have quite a bit of history together, as any moderate to hardcore college football would know. The two main Texas flagship universities played their first game against each other in 1894, then every year since beginning in 1914 (Texas leads the all-time series 76-37-5). This heated inner-state rivalry concluded after the 2011 season when the Aggies set sail for more fertile soil and calmer waters in the SEC. Texas won their last matchup after a thrilling Texas victory led by amateur videographer/backup quarterback Case McCoy — and just in time for Texas before A&M went from Big 12 also-ran to SEC power.

The end of this historic rivalry is not sitting well with a few key political figures, namely State Representative Ryan Guillen. Guillen introduced a bill that would penalize the program choosing not to continue the Lonestar Showdown.

From The Texas Tribune:

“This game is as much a Texas tradition as cowboy boots and barbeque,” Guillen, an A&M graduate, said. “The purpose of the bill is to put the eyes of Texas upon our two greatest universities to restore this sacred Texas tradition.”

House Bill 778, as filed, does not specify when the game should occur, but it does offer a penalty should it fail to happen: Whichever institution refused to participate in the showdown would suffer restrictions on its athletic scholarships.

Can any other state claim government legislation in regards to enacting college football matchups? Is this even real? It is, and it seems like an overzealous ploy to force a couple football programs on the field that seem to be content in their own, current paths.

That’s Texas, though. Texas loves their football.

[via The Texas Tribune]

Image via Urban Christian News

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    1. Dillon Cheverere

      It needs to end. Mack can’t win a conference championship, much less a natty, without an immense talent advantage.

      12 years ago at 11:15 pm
    2. Ron Washington

      ^^I tend to agree with your thoughts. But he’s seemed to be a lockdown recruiter, especially in getting the premier Texas talent. Any thoughts on who could do as good a job getting recruits combined with a better job developing? I personally think that while Texas does have superior high school talent, they could do better by looking outside the state in some instances. Just a Georgia boy’s point of view.

      12 years ago at 12:06 am
    3. Serious About Boats

      ^Talent will never be the issue in Texas. Mack’s problem is that he doesn’t hold on to his good coordinators and he personally can’t develop a player to save his life. He’ll keep his job if he can beat OU but he hasn’t been able to do that for shit either. Oh and he’s been getting smoked in recruiting this year by Sumlin because A&M has been winning in the SEC.

      12 years ago at 12:35 am
  1. cleavage

    I’m usually not one to approve of government intervention but I can make an exception.

    12 years ago at 11:31 pm
  2. Strom Thurmond

    Texas and Kansas need to stop being so butt hurt their biggest rivals left the conference and play the damn rivalry. Sweet Jesus, rivalries like Georgia/Georgia Tech, USC/Clemson, Iowa/Iowa State, and BYU/Utah have survived conference breaks. Many states have gotten involved to ensure the state teams play. USC and Clemson were to be blocked from playing by the ACC in the 50s but the state legislature passed a law requiring the schools to play. Alabama and Auburn were talked into restarting the rivalry on the threat of witholding funding. Louisville and Kentucky were told to restart the rivalry. The Florida legislature forced Florida to start playing Florida State. Hell, to a lesser extent, UNC and NCST were talked into rekindling games with ECU.

    The people want the rivalries damnit. Hey Deloss, if ya have such a problem with A&M, how about ya schedule the game them tell Mack to have his boys show up and kick the shit out of em?

    12 years ago at 11:36 pm
    1. Dillon Cheverere

      I hear you, but there’s a lot more that goes into it than you realize.

      12 years ago at 6:36 am
    2. The3WiseMen

      ^^Lost it with you citing Iowa/Iowa State as a rivalry. There have to be better examples than that.

      12 years ago at 9:20 am
  3. Southern Improper

    Texas needs to get their shit together.. College football is more exciting when they’re competitive.

    12 years ago at 8:20 am
  4. Harvey_Specter

    If UT did play the Ags again, Ash would have to beat them. Case is really only good at watching.

    12 years ago at 11:07 am