'We respect that team': What Texas A&M football players, Mike Elko had to say about UT

TAMPA, Fla. - While speaking at SEC media days Wednesday, Texas A&M football coach Mike Elko received an apology. A reporter wearing a burnt orange shirt apologized for his wardrobe.

Don't worry, though. Before asking about NIL, the media member assured Elko that he'd wear Aggies apparel Thursday during Texas coach Steve Sarkisian's scheduled session.

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Yes, even though Texas A&M was in Tampa to talk about Texas A&M - and Elko delivered quite the one-liner when he responded to a question about potential complacency among his players, saying, "I show them our trophy case and it's empty" - the Aggies couldn't avoid the elephant ... er, longhorn in the room.

So, were the Aggies annoyed by the questions they got about Texas?

"Not really," A&M senior linebacker Daymion Sanford said. "It's just you know something that you know is just there. We respect that team."

Aggies know Texas has had the upper hand since rivalry's resumption

Texas A&M has 12 dates on its schedule, but the Nov. 27 home game against Texas looms large. Texas holds a 78-37-5 lead in the all-time series and the Aggies haven't beaten the Longhorns since 2010. The two teams took a 12-year break after the 2011 season, but UT has recorded 17-7 and 27-17 wins since the two schools were reunited in the SEC in 2024.

On Wednesday, Elko said he's often reminded in College Station about the importance of the Lone Star Showdown. Sanford echoed those sentiments.

"I don't probably have a day go by without being reminded how important that game is to me, but that's OK," Elko said. "I think that's what's great about college rivalries, is the passion that our fan base has for that game and certainly is matched by their fan base for that game as well."

Unlike Elko, Sanford grew up in Texas; he's from Katy, less than a two-hour drive from both Texas and Texas A&M's campuses.

"It's OK," Sanford said. "Rivalry games are interesting. You watched the rivalry game growing up and it's an honor to play in them. So it doesn't really bother me."

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In recent seasons, the Texas-Texas A&M game has determined the matchup for the SEC championship game. Two years ago, Texas secured a trip to Atlanta with its 10-point triumph in College Station. The Longhorns were already eliminated from championship contention in 2025 when they met the Aggies, but kept A&M out of the SEC's finale with their win in Austin.

"I think the past two years when you start off so hot and then end the way we did, it leaves a bittersweet feeling. It leaves a chip on your shoulder," A&M senior safety Marcus Ratcliffe said. "I think this year as a captain and an older guy, it's really important for me to let us finish the right way, finish a consistent way."

No trash talk between Texas and Texas A&M's quarterbacks

During the 121st Texas-Texas A&M game, the spotlight will likely shine the brightest on quarterbacks Marcel Reed and Arch Manning. Last year in Austin, Manning threw for one fewer yard than his Aggies counterpoint but accounted for two touchdowns while Reed was intercepted twice.

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This summer, both quarterbacks participated in the Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, La. Reed, though, said that the two didn't talk about their impending showdown.

"I didn't say anything about coming to Kyle Field," Reed said. "I mean, it's on the schedule. I'm sure he knows he's got to come, but yeah, I think he's probably as excited about the game as I am."

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