Longhorns Wire staff predictions for Texas Longhorns at Texas A&M Aggies

There’s a lot at stake as Texas and Texas A&M renew their hated rivalry after a 13-year hiatus. The winner will receive a trip to the SEC Championship Game to face the Georgia Bulldogs.

This level of importance is actually quite rare in this rivalry. Between 1997 and 2011 at least one of the teams was ranked. The Longhorns and Aggies have met both teams ranked in the top 20 only seven times in the modern era: 1941, 1943, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1985 and 1995.

The biggest impact on the national title came in 1975 when No. 2 A&M defeated No. 5 Texas and remained undefeated. The Aggies dropped their final two games of the season.

Ticket prices for the game are also going up. According to StubHub, the average ticket costs $1,100 and the cheapest seat costs $520. As of Wednesday, the seller’s most expensive tickets are a mid-pack pair that sell for about $2,600 apiece. According to another reseller, TickPick, Saturday’s game is “the most expensive regular season football ticket ever,” whether college or NFL.

The game we’ve all been waiting for, some more than others. I think Texas is passionate, not too passionate to the point of arrogance, but passionate. This team is a CFP-caliber team, as every analyst can agree. Kyle Field is a unique place; I think there are a few lucky breaks in the beginning, but Texas is recovering. Texas A&M will keep it close, but I’m counting on a Notre Dame-like last-minute breakout from Texas.

Final result: Texas 38, Texas A&M 27

Oh boy. This game is the definition of “throwing the record books out the window.” On paper, Texas is a much better team. UT is stronger at almost every position. The wild cards are obvious. Kyle Field can be a madhouse, Ewers is weak, and there’s pressure to live up to expectations with a trip to the SEC Championship Game. I think Texas can do it, but it won’t be easy.

Final result: Texas 27, Texas A&M 17

This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Longhorns Wire Staff Predictions for Texas Longhorns at Texas A&M Aggies