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Texas A&M Football

Sumlin, Strong both want A&M-Texas game back

April 14, 2015
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In a clever move sure to keep you huddled around the water cooler at work arguing for hours, A&M coach Kevin Sumlin and Texas' Charlie Strong have both expressed a desire to renew the rivalry, ESPN.com reported Tuesday morning.

"Now, moving into Year 4 and listening to our former students and our alumni base and knowing a lot of Texas alums, it's important that we play again," Sumlin said. "I think it will happen somewhere down the road. The tough part for both parties, when we moved, was scheduling. The first two years we scrambled just to get anybody to play, and the SEC hadn't solidified their schedule until last year. We were at the mercy of whoever would play us.

"Now that we've solidified what the SEC's scheduling theory is going to be, you've seen us become more aggressive with our nonconference schedule, and that was the knock on us early on. People sometimes take scheduling for granted and say, 'Play this team.' They don't know the process. But I think the Texas series will happen. I just don't know when."

The article later quotes Sumlin as reinforcing that he was never against continuing the series and saying that the game's importance to the alumni of both schools is what should dictate whether it resumes.

His counterpart in Austin seems to concur.

"That game is so much a part of this state," said Strong, who it's fair to note is from Arkansas. "Over 100 years, we've played that game. Why stop it now because we're in different conferences? At some point, when it's right for everybody with the different schedules, I would love to play Texas A&M again.

"Let me win some games first," he added. "Then I can push it. I don't know if I want to go walking into College Station right now."

(Smart, though in that case we may be waiting a while.)

Regimes at both schools have undergone complete overhauls since the series, which began in 1894 and has been played 118 times, went on hiatus.

Author Chris Low does well to note that, despite that, new Texas Athletic Director Steve Patterson adopted predecessor DeLoss Dodds' trademark hauteur about the series immediately after his arrival and A&M Senior Associate AD Jason Cook had previously implied the teams' only meeting would be in a bowl or playoff game.

Yet, the quotes from Sumlin and Strong come on the heels of the Monday revelation that the Aggies and Longhorns will meet again in baseball in 2016 and 2017, seemingly opening a floodgate of dialogue about the two arch-rivals who have repeatedly attempted to distance themselves from each other since 2012.

See the full article here:

Charlie Strong, Kevin Sumlin both want Texas Longhorns-Texas A&M Aggies rivalry back

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Sumlin, Strong both want A&M-Texas game back

51,609 Views | 126 Replies | Last: 9 yr ago by ckwarren33
Cannonball Craig III
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DayAg says it best. I can attest to his veracity. All of you nave, uninformed people should pay close attention.
Cannonball Craig III
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quote:
DayAg says it best. I can attest to his veracity. All of you naive, uninformed people should pay close attention.
KC Aggie
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I miss the rivalry. Would play them anytime, anywhere. However, the 'sips would need to make some major concessions before I would agree to resume the series - distributions from the PUF being the biggest one. Would want the game to be a standalone game in prime time broadcast by CBS when it's at Kyle and ESPN when it is not.
"Morons. I've got morons on my team."
Backcountry Wanderer
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quote:
There is s difference in business decisions, and poor business decisions. We wouldnt market one red cent more by playing them. We get enough national attention without them. But them not so much. Why allow them the privilege of playing us, when their arrogance is what cut it off in the first place. Everyone seems to forget that little tidbit.
I never said it was the best business decision, or that it was enough to overpower other factors. (in fact, I pointed out that from the admin point of view, it might not be the right decision). All I meant was that you can't frame it as a "business/logical decisions vs. passion". It's an entertainment industry. Passion is one factor, among many, that has to be considered, and it's not negligible. How many people watch the Duke/UNC basketball game every year that care nothing about either school?

And some of you seem to imply that it's national exposure or playing tu. I understand they may have more to gain at the present moment, but we don't suddenly get booted from the SEC and have Johnny's Heisman revoked by playing them. Arrogance goes both ways. Not playing them is what's best for us in the short term, while we're the hot commodity. But sports is cyclic, and if we wait until we have more to gain, then they have just as much right to the same argument, and the game never comes back. Long term, I think college sports is better with rivalries, and the previously mentioned Duke/UNC game does, in fact, market my "one red cent" over what it would if either of those schools was playing anyone else.

Personally, I would love to see the game start up again, but I don't think it's necessarily the right time yet. Still too many hard feelings on both sides, but it will be back at some point.
hunter2012
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quote:
quote:

If you go by the argument (as I do) that ANYTHING BAD FOR TU IS GOOD FOR A&M, then why wouldn't you play them on the field? Beating Strong would be a devastating blow for their program- all the recent recruiting success and media slanted "reemergence" would come falling down.
you know what's worse for TU than us beating them on the field?

not playing them. they are not selling out games and their on the field football product is bad. People are getting indifferent to it. Renewing this game would bring emotion and focus back to their team. No thanks, let them fade away and be an afterthought.


So much this, just playing them would be a victory for them. It says that the SEC isn't enough, that the tingle some Ags get from playing sips overrides the ultimate victory we had over them by leaving. Frankly I find it sad that so many Ags would help the sips just for their own nostalgia.
hunter2012
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quote:
quote:
There is s difference in business decisions, and poor business decisions. We wouldnt market one red cent more by playing them. We get enough national attention without them. But them not so much. Why allow them the privilege of playing us, when their arrogance is what cut it off in the first place. Everyone seems to forget that little tidbit.
I never said it was the best business decision, or that it was enough to overpower other factors. (in fact, I pointed out that from the admin point of view, it might not be the right decision). All I meant was that you can't frame it as a "business/logical decisions vs. passion". It's an entertainment industry. Passion is one factor, among many, that has to be considered, and it's not negligible. How many people watch the Duke/UNC basketball game every year that care nothing about either school?

And some of you seem to imply that it's national exposure or playing tu. I understand they may have more to gain at the present moment, but we don't suddenly get booted from the SEC and have Johnny's Heisman revoked by playing them. Arrogance goes both ways. Not playing them is what's best for us in the short term, while we're the hot commodity. But sports is cyclic, and if we wait until we have more to gain, then they have just as much right to the same argument, and the game never comes back. Long term, I think college sports is better with rivalries, and the previously mentioned Duke/UNC game does, in fact, market my "one red cent" over what it would if either of those schools was playing anyone else.

Personally, I would love to see the game start up again, but I don't think it's necessarily the right time yet. Still too many hard feelings on both sides, but it will be back at some point.


We are and will always be in the superior position from a bargaining standpoint BECAUSE we are in the SEC, it has nothing to do with our program. More people watch our program because we have exposure that only being in the SEC can provide. Tsips bolting to PAC 12 or Big 10 MIGHT change that, but while they are in the BDF any attempt to play them would be benefiting them.

Also while many watch the game, I think many of yall over blow how that compares to others. It isn't the Super Bowl, in fact we have played several games that had much more viewship than any game with the sips just because we were in the SEC. Bama 2012 being one. So we aren't the ones missing exposure by not playing them.

Playing the sips helps the sips, why would any Ag want to do that.
aggiehawg
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quote:
If you go by the argument (as I do) that ANYTHING BAD FOR TU IS GOOD FOR A&M, then why wouldn't you play them on the field? Beating Strong would be a devastating blow for their program- all the recent recruiting success and media slanted "reemergence" would come falling down.

When your enemy is hurting themselves, get out of the way. The horns are on a downward trajectory in two of the major sports and have whopping big question mark in basketball.

Their PR is primarily negative (excluding the DMN's repeated attempts at public fellatio), attendance is down and will be abysmal next year with about 20% of season ticket holders refusing to renew their football tickets. Crappy product on the field, crappy home schedule, a HC who is gaffe-prone, while the AD is raising ticket prices, charging for parking, tailgating and everything else he can think of.

Many people who held onto to their season tickets solely for the OU game have even let that go. Would some come back if A&M was on the schedule or possibly be on the schedule??? You think it is just a coincidence that this article comes out immediately after the renewal deadline??
Aggie
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There is no upside for us


You can't be that stupid.
Please tell me how there is " no upside".

What you meant to say was " there is no upside.. If we lose"

Tired of Aggies being scared whiney little *****es while pounding their chest and riding the coattails of being in the SEC when this topic comes up.

It gonna happen eventually so get over it.
There will be a time again when Texas is on top again and the game helps us more.
We were 3-5 in the SEC last year, enter this year with many questions and some of y'all act like were the damn New England Patriots.

Since when did we get so good that were to good to play Texas? I must have missed all the championships we have won.
Backcountry Wanderer
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quote:
We are and will always be in the superior position... Tsips bolting to PAC 12 or Big 10 MIGHT change that.
haha. We will always be in the superior position... until we're not
Bucketrunner
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No upside. Sips are desperate. What Hawg said.
greg.w.h
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I'm not making the argument that we have too much to lose by playing them. I'm making the argument that when we left the Big 12 we were ceremoniously told by all of the Texas Big 12 teams that we weren't welcome to play them in the future. I honor what other people tell me. It's that simple.
CosmicMaskedAvenger
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Rivalry? What rivalry?

tu claimed 0U was their rival, not us.

We are recruiting just fine. The game is of zero benefit to us.
aTmBonfire
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I don't care who the game favors or doesn't favor at this moment, and imo, considering this into whether or not to play them is short sighted.

If the day ever comes when the SEC West is full of crappy teams and we need to schedule tougher OOC opponents, there's plenty to choose from besides looking to tu.

As a whole, their arrogant attitude is so completely and utterly disgusting I want nothing to do with them. They have always been this way and I doubt it will ever change, it is simply who they are.

I hope to play them again - in a bowl or playoff - but never as a regularly scheduled game.
Jack Leatherman
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Agree with Greg, the way whole thing went down when we left for the SEC. I have no desire to play them again and I do not see how this benefits us.
W
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I don't mind playing the horns again, but not until the Arkansas series moves back to campus.

A&M has to get the schedule lined up correctly.

Alabama & Auburn at Kyle in odd-numbered years.

LSU & t.u. at Kyle in even-numbered years
DayAg!
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See, nothing but rhetoric with no reason at all how it benefits A&M..and no, it might not ever happen again so get used to that. They are desperate and it will be worse if they have a losing season this year , of which they probably will. The poster that mentioned the season ticket renewal fiasco is right. They are hurting for product, which makes them desperate. Desperate people turn to desperate measures. I look for them to pull out all the stops in the next 18 months to marginalize our position in the SEC.

But the kicker is, if we field a semblance of a defense this year we could be pretty salty. And that would negate anything they try to do. But you mark it down. They will pull out all the stops. So tell me again why we should even be entertaining this topic. I mean hard facts, not just your personal feelings or opinion. Of which all are like rear ends, and all of em stink.
tamc12
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Not only no but HELL NO!
There is absolutely no reason to go BACKWARDS!!
Hunter2012, ckwarren and dayag are absolutely right. sips will lie, cheat, steal, use the TX legislature in any way that can be to their benefit. They don't care about fairness or morality.

When we beat Alabama, the most watched game the next season was the A&M vs Alabama game. Johnny brought us into a relevance nationwide that playing tsips was totally forgotten and needs to stay that way.
We don't need the sips!
We need to focus on our SEC games and conference, not have it diverted to a non con used to be rivalry. The sips are not relevant, except in some people with minds living in the past. The sips have probably not sold out a game since we played them. We should give them nothing to grasp onto in our world.

Please stop this madness and be grateful that they pushed us into national relevance by joining the best conference in the nation. Let's not look back. Let them be the insignificant fly on the wall watching us reaping the benefits.
Cannonball Craig III
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Any thinking about a decision to renew the series with tu on any basis should be made in the context of the nature of our 100 or so year relationship. When all is duly considered, the correct decision is a simle one. NEVER play those jerks again unless it is a playoff or bowl game.

Some of you younger Ags should look a little deeper into that history. A good start would be to reread DayAg's posts on this thread.
Pro Sandy
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quote:
There is no upside for us
Beating the hell outta t.u. is always an upside.
Pro Sandy
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quote:
See, nothing but rhetoric with no reason at all how it benefits A&M..and no, it might not ever happen again so get used to that. They are desperate and it will be worse if they have a losing season this year , of which they probably will. The poster that mentioned the season ticket renewal fiasco is right. They are hurting for product, which makes them desperate. Desperate people turn to desperate measures. I look for them to pull out all the stops in the next 18 months to marginalize our position in the SEC.

But the kicker is, if we field a semblance of a defense this year we could be pretty salty. And that would negate anything they try to do. But you mark it down. They will pull out all the stops. So tell me again why we should even be entertaining this topic. I mean hard facts, not just your personal feelings or opinion. Of which all are like rear ends, and all of em stink.
Dont be scared of t.u. Let's settle it on the field like we have for over 100 years. It is the right thing to do.
St Hedwig Aggie
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F*** tu...(fans, alumni, administrators, t-shirt loyalists and media sycophants alike) may their home schedule continue to suck and never include us...
aggiehawg
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quote:
It is the right thing to do.
What?? This isn't some morality play, turn-the-other-cheek and be the better person scenario.

We ran out of cheeks after the true contractual details of the LHN were exposed. The only reason the horns got pissed is because we finally stopped turning the other cheek and said, "No more."

Go read the horn message boards. They blame us for stopping them from going to the PAC without us in 2010. How in the world can they possibly believe that?? Are they saying they didn't have a stand-alone offer from the PAC in 2010??

Of course not. They have the LHN. And they are proud of the fact that they don't have to share that with anybody!! Except, it's our fault that we didn't join in on the LHN when Dodds offerred to split the start-up costs but get the majority of the profits. (There's a reason no one agreed to ever finance that network until ESPN saw a way to use it as a loss leader, despite Dodds shopping that thing around for years and years. No profits.)

Ultimately, why did Dodds cancel the game?? Because we finally said, "No." We stopped doing exactly what they told us to do, when they told us.

It took us a long time. Over a hundred years, but we finally grew up. The best news??

We no longer have to put up with the obnoxious brother during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Nor any other day of the year.

Gig 'Em!
FDT 1999
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quote:
quote:
There is no upside for us
Beating the hell outta t.u. is always an upside.


No it's not. We're in the SEC West. We're supposed to beat the sips and anyone else from the BDF because it's a sh***y conference. When we win, it's no big deal to the media and will get no pub. Why? Because we're in the SEC and supposed to beat schools from sh***y conferences. The only stories that will be written will be if we lose.

It's amazing there are idiots with ag tags that think there is an upside.
LincolnBorglum79
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I am fine with renewing the rivalry with 2 simple conditions. The Big Dumpster Fire must expand back to 12 teams by adding UH and someone else. tu wants no part of UH or 12 teams, sharing the money. second condition, no games in Austin. Alternate games between Kyle and NRG. Let them continue to muddle through a poor home schedule and maybe the tu tarp becomes a fixture.
Pro Sandy
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quote:
quote:
quote:
There is no upside for us
Beating the hell outta t.u. is always an upside.


No it's not. We're in the SEC West. We're supposed to beat the sips and anyone else from the BDF because it's a sh***y conference. When we win, it's no big deal to the media and will get no pub. Why? Because we're in the SEC and supposed to beat schools from sh***y conferences. The only stories that will be written will be if we lose.

It's amazing there are idiots with ag tags that think there is an upside.
LOL!

Its cute how some Ags try to seek victory by the wins of everyone else in the SEC. Let's seek our victory by the wins of A&M. And what better win is there for A&M than to beat the ever living, ever loving hell outta t.u.?

Dont be scared of t.u. and don't ride the coat tails of everyone else in the SEC. Beat the hell outta t.u.! I'd rather beat our biggest rival than just claim association to other teams.

"We're in the SEC!" "We beat the hell outta t.u.!"
One is hiding behind big brother. One of these is actual bragging rights.
Kman80
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And I would add no tu aligned officials. Anytime, anywhere, anyplace, any sport. Beat the hell out of tu!
Aggie
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quote:


When we beat Alabama, the most watched game the next season was the A&M vs Alabama game. Johnny brought us into a relevance nationwide that playing tsips was totally forgotten and needs to stay that way.
We don't need the sips!
We need to focus on our SEC games and conference, not have it diverted to a non con used to be rivalry. The sips are not relevant, except in some people with minds living in the past. The sips have probably not sold out a game since we played them. We should give them nothing to grasp onto in our world.




People are gonna have to realize that Bama game was 3 years ago. We're not the same team now we were then.. How did our trip last season to Tuscaloosa go.
Our problem is we get a taste of greatness ( 2012 season) and we hold onto it while we slip into mediocrity. As I said in last post we were a 3-5 conference team last year and and we are reading post about how " national revelant we are and " should not let tu into our world"?
Are you kidding?
How about the LSU game last thanksgiving.. Where there were thousands of empty seats at Kyle.. Is that the world you're talking about? National proem time TV game with thousands of people dressed as empty seats?
St Hedwig Aggie
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BAS...strong with so many...those whose need to define this institution by one football game defies logic and reason...and who want to believe, at all costs, that the nutless ones want and can play on an even field!

Sad and cute at the same time!

Enter into relations with those people at great peril!
Frederick Palowaski
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AG
quote:
quote:
quote:
quote:
There is no upside for us
Beating the hell outta t.u. is always an upside.


No it's not. We're in the SEC West. We're supposed to beat the sips and anyone else from the BDF because it's a sh***y conference. When we win, it's no big deal to the media and will get no pub. Why? Because we're in the SEC and supposed to beat schools from sh***y conferences. The only stories that will be written will be if we lose.

It's amazing there are idiots with ag tags that think there is an upside.
LOL!

Its cute how some Ags try to seek victory by the wins of everyone else in the SEC. Let's seek our victory by the wins of A&M. And what better win is there for A&M than to beat the ever living, ever loving hell outta t.u.?

Dont be scared of t.u. and don't ride the coat tails of everyone else in the SEC. Beat the hell outta t.u.! I'd rather beat our biggest rival than just claim association to other teams.

"We're in the SEC!" "We beat the hell outta t.u.!"
One is hiding behind big brother. One of these is actual bragging rights.


Pro Sandy is a prime example of an Aggie that would be happy with a 1-11 season as long as they beat ut.

Sad and pathetic.
doubledegreeAG
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quote:
One is hiding behind big brother. One of these is actual bragging rights.


Hiding behind big brother SEC Arkansas who we beat and who murdered sip?

Why are bragging rights over sip so important to you. They are...much like their network and conference...nationally irrelevant.
doubledegreeAG
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quote:

People are gonna have to realize that Bama game was 3 years ago. We're not the same team now we were then.. How did our trip last season to Tuscaloosa go.

We also beat #3 Auburn. Every year in the SEC west you can expect to play at least 2 top ten teams.
You think a few thousand empty seats on thanksgiving night is a big deal? Did you take a look at DKR on thanksgiving night?
Pro Sandy
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AG
quote:
quote:
quote:
quote:
quote:
There is no upside for us
Beating the hell outta t.u. is always an upside.


No it's not. We're in the SEC West. We're supposed to beat the sips and anyone else from the BDF because it's a sh***y conference. When we win, it's no big deal to the media and will get no pub. Why? Because we're in the SEC and supposed to beat schools from sh***y conferences. The only stories that will be written will be if we lose.

It's amazing there are idiots with ag tags that think there is an upside.
LOL!

Its cute how some Ags try to seek victory by the wins of everyone else in the SEC. Let's seek our victory by the wins of A&M. And what better win is there for A&M than to beat the ever living, ever loving hell outta t.u.?

Dont be scared of t.u. and don't ride the coat tails of everyone else in the SEC. Beat the hell outta t.u.! I'd rather beat our biggest rival than just claim association to other teams.

"We're in the SEC!" "We beat the hell outta t.u.!"
One is hiding behind big brother. One of these is actual bragging rights.


Pro Sandy is a prime example of an Aggie that would be happy with a 1-11 season as long as they beat ut.

Sad and pathetic.
Absolutely I would be happy with that.

College football is first and foremost about rivalries. We haven't played our rival in years. It is past due to renew the rivalry and beat the hell outta t.u.
Frederick Palowaski
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Pathetic
Pro Sandy
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quote:
quote:
One is hiding behind big brother. One of these is actual bragging rights.


Hiding behind big brother SEC Arkansas who we beat and who murdered sip?

Why are bragging rights over sip so important to you. They are...much like their network and conference...nationally irrelevant.
Because one is taking pride in the games we win over our rival, the other is a moral victory in the games we lose in the SEC.
Aggie
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quote:
quote:

People are gonna have to realize that Bama game was 3 years ago. We're not the same team now we were then.. How did our trip last season to Tuscaloosa go.

We also beat #3 Auburn. Every year in the SEC west you can expect to play at least 2 top ten teams.
You think a few thousand empty seats on thanksgiving night is a big deal? Did you take a look at DKR on thanksgiving night?


Don't play the " auburn was ranked 3rd card" .. Auburn was a .500 conference team. They were not even close to the 3 rd ranked team in country. Yes both Kyle and DKR had thousands of empty seats thanksgiving night. Think those seats would of been empty had we been playing each other?
 
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