Texas Plots Against A&M Demonstrate Hate Arkansas Wishes It Faced from Someone

The rivalry between Texas A&M and the University of Texas is a deeply entrenched one, both in the history of college football and the broader cultural and social landscape of the state. Their contentious relationship is defined not only by fierce competition on the field but by a deeply ingrained animosity that often transcends the game itself. This rivalry is symbolic of something larger, a reflection of the struggle for dominance and pride in the Lone Star State.

In contrast, Arkansas, which shares a border with Texas and has historically been part of the same collegiate football world, has found itself in a rather different position. While not lacking its own rivalries, the intensity of hate and animosity that the Razorbacks wish to experience from their opponents seems to pale in comparison to the vitriol Texas A&M faces from Texas.

The Nature of Rivalries: Texas, A&M, and Arkansas

Rivalries are often born out of competition, but they become defined by the stories, the narratives, and the emotions they evoke. For Texas A&M and Texas, this rivalry has been built over a century of competition. Initially, the tension was rooted in geographic and academic differences. Texas, located in the heart of Austin, and Texas A&M, located in College Station, shared more than just a state—they shared different values, traditions, and aspirations. Texas was once seen as the aristocratic, more prestigious institution, while A&M was an agricultural school that leaned toward a more working-class demographic.

The hatred between the two institutions, however, grew to more than just regional pride. It evolved into an almost mythical battle for supremacy, with both fanbases and alumni treating their institutions as extensions of their own identities. For years, Texas had the upper hand, but Texas A&M has been climbing the ranks since its move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in 2012.

Meanwhile, Arkansas, historically caught in the shadow of Texas and its sports dominance, has always had a more complex and less intense rivalry dynamic. For years, Arkansas was a part of the Southwest Conference, which included Texas, Texas A&M, and a host of other Southwestern teams. Arkansas’ relationship with Texas was often one of competition but not necessarily of hatred in the same manner that Texas A&M faced from its southern neighbor.

While Arkansas has its own rivalries, particularly with teams like LSU, Mississippi, and Missouri, it has never experienced the same level of intense disdain from a specific school that Texas A&M gets from Texas. This has led many to believe that the Razorbacks, despite their strong football history, have yet to experience a rivalry that truly compares to the blood-feuding animosity that defines the Texas-Texas A&M contest.

The Dynamics of Rivalry: What Texas A&M Faces from Texas

The rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M is not just a matter of school pride; it is about legacy, history, and a perceived right to claim the title of “the best” in the state. This rivalry is often discussed in hyperbolic terms because of its national ramifications. Every time Texas A&M squares off against Texas, the stakes seem higher, not just for the players but for the entire state of Texas. The football field becomes a battleground for more than just a win; it becomes a contest for supremacy, and in many ways, for the right to represent the state’s identity.

Fans of Texas have often looked down on Texas A&M as the underdog, but the A&M faithful view the rivalry from a different perspective. For years, Texas A&M was a perceived lesser institution in the world of Texas football. The rivalry, therefore, was not just about competition on the field, but also about a perceived power imbalance—Texas A&M was fighting for respect, fighting for recognition in a state that placed Texas at the top.

This sentiment was vividly exemplified in the years leading up to the rivalry’s end in 2011 when Texas A&M left the Big 12 and joined the SEC. Texas, secure in its position as a college football powerhouse, treated A&M almost like a sibling that it could afford to dismiss. The hate from Texas was a mixture of condescension and disdain—A&M was the challenger, but not a truly worthy adversary. The rivalry, in many ways, reflected a complex relationship of sibling rivalry, but with the added edge of historical prestige on Texas’ side.

From A&M’s perspective, the hatred they received from Texas was more than just rivalry—it was a long-standing undervaluing of their institution, culture, and football program. This created a ferocity and determination in A&M’s efforts to not only compete with Texas but to eventually surpass them, something they continue to strive for with each passing year.

For Arkansas, however, this level of animosity seems far out of reach. Despite Arkansas being a formidable opponent, there is no sense of deep hatred from the Longhorns or their fanbase toward the Razorbacks. This lack of venom from Texas is evident in the fact that Arkansas has often been relegated to secondary rivalries, struggling to earn the same recognition that schools like LSU and Alabama enjoy within the SEC.

Arkansas’ Desire for a Rivalry

What Arkansas longs for is the same level of respect, intensity, and sheer hate that Texas A&M receives from Texas. The Razorbacks, often placed in the shadow of Texas, have had to carve out their own identity in the football world. Arkansas was part of the Southwest Conference until the early 1990s, which positioned the Razorbacks in direct competition with teams like Texas and Texas A&M. However, since moving to the SEC, Arkansas has been somewhat lost in the shuffle, struggling to establish rivalries with the same intensity that define programs like Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M.

In the SEC, Arkansas is often seen as a middle-tier team, caught between the heavyweights like Alabama and Georgia, and the less competitive schools. This has created a sense of longing for Arkansas fans, who wish they had a rivalry that was as vicious and all-consuming as the one between Texas and Texas A&M. They want the kind of rivalry that fuels media coverage, social media battles, and unrelenting fan passion. They want to be a part of something bigger than just a football game—they want a rivalry that means something, that makes every matchup feel like a must-watch event.

Unfortunately, Arkansas has not found an adversary that stirs the same level of emotion as Texas and Texas A&M’s rivalry. While the Razorbacks have strong in-state rivalries with teams like LSU and Missouri, there is a sense that those rivalries don’t carry the same weight in the national conversation. The absence of a bitter, hate-filled rivalry leaves a void for Arkansas football, something the Razorbacks seem to crave.

The Texas A&M Factor: A Model for Arkansas?

Texas A&M, in many ways, serves as a model for Arkansas. When A&M joined the SEC, it brought with it a sense of urgency to be taken seriously. The rivalry with Texas, built over generations, had created a fanbase that understood what it meant to fight for recognition. A&M’s hatred for Texas was not just about football—it was about pride, identity, and a desire to show that they too belonged at the top of the college football landscape.

For Arkansas, the path toward a true rivalry with another school might require a similar strategy. The Razorbacks need to find an opponent that can offer the same level of competitive hate—a team they can build a narrative around, one that fans can rally behind, and a team they can consistently challenge on the field. If Arkansas is able to do that, the Razorbacks may one day experience the kind of rivalry that fuels a program’s passion, stirs national attention, and brings about the kind of hate that Texas A&M gets from Texas.

The relationship between Texas, Texas A&M, and Arkansas provides insight into the complex nature of college football rivalries. Texas A&M’s rivalry with Texas is defined by a history of competition, pride, and, most importantly, hate—an emotion that Arkansas seems to lack in its own rivalries. While Arkansas may not experience the same level of animosity, there is a clear desire for the kind of hatred and respect that Texas A&M receives from Texas.

In many ways, Texas A&M’s struggle for respect and supremacy mirrors the struggle that Arkansas faces today. The Razorbacks, though competitive, have yet to find a rival that inspires the kind of emotional energy that drives teams like Texas A&M. Until they do, Arkansas will continue to chase that rivalry, hoping to create an environment where hate, passion, and pride are as evident as they are in the long-standing battle between Texas and Texas A&M.