the tindog coffeehouse

With so much focus on the various BCS predictions, it’s easy to forget there’s a football game on Thanksgiving night. But of course it’s not just any game, it’s Texas vs. Texas A&M.

Now, you’re probably wondering, so what? The 10-1 Horns are No. 2 in the nation, and the Aggies are 4-7.  Heck, A&M (“the floormats of the Big 12″) even lost to Baylor this year! A blowout is all but guaranteed.

Or is it?

Aggie fans will be quick to point out that Texas has lost to A&M the past two consecutive years, and I’m betting they’d like to make it three.

Oh, who are we kidding? A&M doesn’t have the same caliber team it’s had the past few years, and Texas is playing at least as well as it did in 2005. The Horns will win this one and win big: 41-0, according to NCAA Football ’09 for the Wii.

But with almost nothing to gain from the victory, why is it still such an important game?

Because it’s Texas vs. A&M.

OU might be UT’s biggest threat, but A&M is still their biggest rival. After all, it’s the Aggies who are mentioned every time the Longhorns sing their fight song:

Texas Fight, Texas Fight,
And it’s goodbye to A&M.

So have another round of turkey, dressing, and burnt orange pumpkin pie, and let’s all be thankful for another Texas Longhorn victory.

Hook ‘Em, Horns!

Real Score: 49-9. Wow! A pretty close prediction (closer than I expected) and the largest margin of victory for Texas over A&M in 110 years! With the exception of a missed field goal, it was a picture-perfect game. Unfortunately, it probably won’t be enough to stay ahead of OU in the polls, but the Horns have done everything they could possibly do. If they make it to the Fiesta Bowl, I will be satisfied. More thoughts about the flawed BCS system and Big 12 tie-breaker method later. But for now, just appreciate an 11-1 season that far exceeded all expectations.