According to the Texas A&M Football Podcast, the 2025 game against Texas is the most crucial of the season.

The 2025 college football season is poised to be a pivotal one for Texas A&M, with numerous challenges and high-stakes games on the horizon. However, according to the Texas A&M Football Podcast, the showdown against the Texas Longhorns is set to be the most crucial game of the season. With Texas A&M’s program at a crossroads, the upcoming game against their archrival is expected to have significant implications not only for the team’s performance in 2025 but also for the future trajectory of the Aggies’ football program.

In this article, we will delve into why the 2025 game against Texas is shaping up to be the most critical contest of the season. We’ll examine the rivalry between the two schools, the current state of both football programs, and what a win or loss could mean for Texas A&M in the broader college football landscape.

1. The Rivalry: A History of Intensity

Before diving into the specifics of the 2025 game, it’s essential to understand the long-standing rivalry between Texas A&M and Texas. These two schools have shared a fierce competition for decades, and their history is rich with memorable moments, intense games, and passionate fanbases.

The rivalry dates back to 1894, and for years, Texas and Texas A&M were both members of the Big 12 Conference, where they faced off annually in a game that often had major implications for conference standings and bowl games. However, after the 2011 season, Texas A&M moved to the Southeastern Conference (SEC), effectively ending the annual tradition of the Lone Star Showdown.

Since then, there have been several attempts to renew the rivalry, with the 2025 season being one of the most anticipated matchups in years. With the game now set to be played as a non-conference contest, it holds tremendous weight not only for bragging rights within the state of Texas but also for recruiting, program prestige, and momentum heading into the rest of the season.

2. Texas A&M’s Current State: The Importance of Progress

As the 2025 season approaches, Texas A&M finds itself in a critical position. Head coach Jimbo Fisher, entering his seventh season at the helm, has faced both success and setbacks. Fisher led the Aggies to an 8-4 record in 2024, and while the team has shown flashes of brilliance, consistency has been an issue. Recruiting, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, has been strong, but the Aggies have struggled to translate that talent into sustained success on the field.

In 2025, Texas A&M is looking to take the next step. A win over Texas would be monumental in that effort. Not only would it serve as a statement victory, but it would also provide a critical momentum boost for the remainder of the season. With a challenging SEC slate ahead, securing a high-profile win over a major rival like Texas could go a long way toward setting the tone for the rest of the campaign.

Fisher’s job security is also at stake. While he has had success during his time at Texas A&M, there have been questions about his ability to bring the program to the level of consistent competition that fans expect. With the Texas rivalry game serving as a barometer for progress, a win would undoubtedly ease some of the pressure on Fisher, while a loss would raise further doubts about the program’s future direction under his leadership.

3. Texas’ Rise: A Rivalry Renewed

As Texas A&M looks to elevate its program, Texas is also in the midst of a resurgence. After several years of struggles, the Longhorns have been steadily rebuilding under head coach Steve Sarkisian. In 2024, Texas finished the season with an 11-2 record, including an impressive victory over Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game. The Longhorns have been recruiting well, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, and their quarterback play is expected to be a strength moving forward.

The 2025 game against Texas will be a defining moment for both teams. While the Longhorns are on an upward trajectory, they will need to prove that they can beat Texas A&M in a highly charged rivalry atmosphere. For Texas, a win would solidify their status as one of the top programs in the country and give them an early-season boost heading into conference play. It would also serve as a major psychological victory over an in-state rival that has often been seen as a thorn in their side since A&M’s departure from the Big 12.

For the Longhorns, a victory would be a continuation of their resurgence under Sarkisian and a signal to the rest of the country that they are a force to be reckoned with in the years to come. The rivalry will be more than just a clash of teams; it will be a test of which program is truly on the rise and which one still has more to prove.

4. The Stakes: What’s on the Line for Texas A&M

The 2025 game against Texas carries significant stakes for Texas A&M. A win would provide the Aggies with the following benefits:

• Recruiting Boost: A victory over Texas, one of the premier programs in college football, would be a huge recruiting tool for Fisher and the Aggies. The state of Texas is a hotbed for high school talent, and a win over the Longhorns would send a message to recruits that Texas A&M is a legitimate destination for top-tier prospects. The Aggies have had success in recruiting, but winning the rivalry game would elevate the program’s stature even further.
• Momentum for the SEC Slate: After the Texas game, Texas A&M’s schedule is filled with challenging SEC matchups. A win over Texas would give the Aggies the confidence to tackle their SEC foes head-on. With the rigorous nature of SEC football, momentum is critical, and a win over the Longhorns could set the tone for what lies ahead in the SEC schedule.
• Improved Perception of Jimbo Fisher’s Leadership: A victory would enhance the perception of Jimbo Fisher’s leadership. While Fisher has been a successful coach in the past, questions about his ability to take the program to the next level have lingered. Beating Texas would show that Fisher’s program is making strides and that he is capable of leading Texas A&M to elite status. The pressure to succeed in 2025 is significant, and a win over Texas would go a long way toward easing that pressure.
• Bragging Rights: Of course, the most immediate benefit of a win over Texas would be the bragging rights that come with it. The Texas A&M-Texas rivalry is intense, and securing a victory would give the Aggies the upper hand in what is sure to be a highly publicized and emotionally charged contest. For the players, coaches, and fans, defeating the Longhorns would be a source of pride that lasts long beyond the 2025 season.

5. The Impact of a Loss: What’s at Stake for Texas A&M

While a win over Texas would be a massive boost, a loss would be equally significant, though in a negative way. Here’s what’s at stake for the Aggies if they fail to win:

• Recruiting Setback: A loss to Texas could have a detrimental effect on recruiting. The Longhorns are fierce competitors for top recruits in the state of Texas, and a defeat at the hands of Texas would be a missed opportunity to make a strong case to recruits about why Texas A&M is the better program. It would also serve as a psychological blow to players who are deciding between the two schools.
• Loss of Momentum: A loss would halt any momentum the Aggies hoped to carry into the SEC season. After a tough defeat in a highly anticipated rivalry game, the team could struggle to regain its confidence, especially with a challenging SEC slate ahead. A loss to Texas could create a negative atmosphere around the team, making it harder to focus on upcoming games.
• Increased Pressure on Jimbo Fisher: A loss would undoubtedly increase the pressure on Jimbo Fisher to perform in the upcoming seasons. Despite the strong recruiting classes and flashes of success, Fisher’s tenure at Texas A&M has not been without scrutiny. A loss to Texas would fuel questions about his ability to lead the program to sustained success, especially considering the talent on the roster.
• Fan Frustration: Texas A&M fans are passionate about their football program, and a loss to Texas would undoubtedly lead to frustration. The rivalry between the two schools runs deep, and a defeat would leave fans questioning the team’s direction. The Aggies’ fanbase expects success, and a loss to their in-state rival would be a tough pill to swallow.