The first time Texas A&M and the University of Texas met on the football field, Babe Ruth had yet to be born, the game of volleyball did not exist, and Texas hadn’t even been a state for fifty years. The rivalry game, which was played from 1894 to 2011, was an important part of Texas history for most of the time there was a Texas. Accordingly, Texas Monthly filled many pages with coverage of the rivalry. After a thirteen-year hiatus, the game finally returns this week, and we’ve got plenty new to say about it. Here, we present the latest in what the rivalry says about Texas and how it has shaped both storied universities. We dig through the archives to revisit the best storytelling from the game’s highest heights and lowest moments and to understand what its return means, both for the fans who’ve missed it and for those who’ve never had the chance to experience for themselves—until now.
