Texas politician proposes Longhorns-Aggies rivalry become legal requirement

There has been plenty of drama surrounding the rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M since conference realignment began, with the Aggies searching for a place where they no longer had to play second-fiddle to the behemoth in Austin. The two schools broke their longstanding rivalry when Texas A&M moved to the SEC, but at least one politician is trying to make it state law for the two football teams to meet annually.

Rep. Ryan Guillen of Texas House District 31, which extends from just south of San Antonio to parts of the Mexico border, has filed House Bill 778, which would impose scholarship restrictions on the two universities if they refuse to participate in the rivalry game, according to the Daily Texan. Guillen, who was born in College Station and attended Texas A&M, believes the game is an important part of Texas tradition, putting it alongside some of the state’s most well-known institutions:

“This game is as much a Texas tradition as cowboy boots and barbecue,” Guillen, Texas A&M alumnus, told The Texas Tribune. “The purpose of the bill is to put the eyes of Texas upon our two greatest universities to restore this sacred Texas tradition.”

Calling a football game “sacred” may seem a bit over-the-top, but this is Texas after all. It’s unclear whether Guillen is just a rabid fan and alum, or if he is doing this for a little positive political attention. Most likely its a combination of both, with an emphasis on the latter.

As an Aggie fan, he may just be regretting a missed opportunity for his team to beat up on the Longhorns in 2012. Texas finished 9-4, but struggled to compete with the Big 12’s top teams. Texas A&M went 11-2, with a win at Alabama and a blowout victory over Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.

The Longhorns have dominated the all-time series, winning 73 of the 118 matchups. They won the last meeting between the two schools in 2011, 27-25, at Kyle Field.