Texas and Texas A&M are finally sharing the spotlight
CBS Sports says the Longhorns and Aggies are both built like contenders entering 2026, powered by quarterbacks, recruiting and big spending.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The Lone Star Showdown is no longer running on old grudges alone. According to CBS Sports, Texas and Texas A&M are entering 2026 as rare simultaneous national players, with both programs coming off 10-win seasons for the first time since 1975.
The surge is showing up everywhere. CBS Sports reported that Texas A&M currently owns the No. 1 recruiting class for 2027, while Texas sits at No. 4. Between them, the two rivals account for five of the 32 five-star recruits and 20 of the top 100 prospects.
They are still fighting over elite Texas talent, including five-star cornerback and Texas commit John Meredith, CBS Sports noted. But both schools are also winning national battles, with Texas A&M landing top-40 recruits from Florida, Georgia and Maryland, while Texas has top-100 recruits from states including California and Illinois.
Two powers, same state
CBS Sports reported that Texas reached the College Football Playoff in 2023 and 2024, while Texas A&M made the playoff in 2025. Both programs have also won at least 19 games over the past two seasons, something they had not done in back-to-back years together since 1994 and 1995.
The timing gives the rivalry a fresh edge ahead of 2026 SEC Media Days. CBS Sports expects both teams to land near the top 10 when the preseason AP poll arrives, with star quarterbacks, high-end NFL prospects and rosters built to chase the playoff.
At Texas A&M, Mike Elko’s rebuild has changed the mood in College Station. CBS Sports reported that the Aggies had not posted a double-digit-win season between Johnny Manziel’s 11-win 2012 run and their 2025 breakout.
Elko inherited a roster in flux in 2024 and signed 28 transfers, according to CBS Sports. Four became draft picks. His 2025 transfer group included 14 players and produced three more draft picks, with Mario Craver expected to add to that total whenever he is selected.
The Aggies’ offense also found more pop. CBS Sports reported that Texas A&M ranked 25th nationally last season in plays of 20 or more yards from scrimmage, after finishing in the top 40 only once in the previous five seasons.
“I think last year, for the first time in a long time, Texas A&M brought back some of that explosiveness on the offensive side of the ball,” Elko said Monday at the Texas High School Coaches Association Convention.
Texas loads up for a title shot
In Austin, Steve Sarkisian has Texas rolling again. CBS Sports reported that the Longhorns have won 10 games in three straight seasons for the first time since 2007-09.
Arch Manning enters 2026 as a preseason Heisman favorite, according to CBS Sports, after finishing last season as a top-20 passer by advanced metrics. Texas has also tried to fix the trouble spots around him.
CBS Sports reported that Texas ranked 97th in pressure rate allowed and added two transfer offensive linemen, including Melvin Siani, listed as the No. 6 offensive tackle in the 247Sports portal rankings. The Longhorns also added two of the top six portal running backs, Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown, after failing to produce a 600-yard rusher last season.
On defense, Sarkisian replaced Pete Kwiatkowski with Will Muschamp after Texas produced a top-25 defense, according to CBS Sports. The Longhorns return six defensive starters, including edge rusher Colin Simmons, who had 12 sacks last season.
CBS Sports points to broader changes behind the shared rise: steadier coaching, stronger athletic department leadership, national recruiting and major roster investment. The outlet reported that both 2026 rosters are expected to top $30 million.
The next meeting is set for Nov. 27 in College Station. CBS Sports reported that the last two meetings carried College Football Playoff and SEC stakes, and the 2026 game is expected to matter nationally again.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.