Texas and Texas A&M Football Games on Black Friday

HOUSTON — The long-standing football rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M is set to resume this fall, with both athletic directors expressing a desire to shift the game to Black Friday in future seasons. Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte highlighted the appeal of playing on Friday night, citing the competition from the NFL on Thanksgiving Day, which has made the traditional time slot less favorable. The teams last faced off in 2011, and Del Conte emphasized the importance of securing a prime-time window for the matchup. The rivalry, which began in 1894 and was played annually from 1915 until 2011, was interrupted when Texas A&M joined the SEC. The teams previously played on Black Friday from 1997 to 2007 before moving to Thanksgiving for their last four encounters. Scheduled games for 2024 and 2025 are confirmed, but the future of the rivalry remains uncertain as the SEC finalizes its long-term scheduling plans. Del Conte acknowledged that if each school were to have one permanent rival, Texas would likely be paired with Oklahoma, complicating the annual Texas-Texas A&M matchup. However, he remains optimistic, stating, “There’s always room for debate” regarding scheduling. Both athletic directors are committed to ensuring the rivalry continues, with Del Conte asserting, “Not playing this game is not an option,” and emphasizing its significance to Texas and its high school football culture.