Nate Night Thoughts: Will Tech ever play A&M again?

Since Texas A&M departed the Big 12 in 2011, they have refused to face an in state Big 12 foe. The games between the Aggies and the Red Raiders were always heated and memorable games. The Texas A&M and Texas Tech rivalry brought moments such as B.J. Symons’ 8 passing TDs in 2003, an 88-yard punt return from Wes Welker in the comeback victory in 2002, Graham Harrell’s TD pass to Robert Johnson with 26 seconds left in a 2006 victory and many other memorable moments. From 2000-2011 the Red Raiders were 7-5 against the Aggies. The two teams had faced each other every year since 1957 in a battle of East Texas vs. West Texas.

There’s something special about playing Texas A&M and Kirby Hocutt has tweeted his interest in playing the Aggies. The rivalry between Tech and A&M goes back to 1927 and it’s a shame the two teams don’t meet on an annual basis.

For whatever reason, many Aggies insist that there is not a rivalry between the two schools, but most Red Raider fans would disagree after what was done to the Will Rogers and Soapsuds statue near memorial circle in 1969. Ever since A&M fans vandalized the statue, the rear of Soapsuds faces towards College Station. Don’t even get me started on the Aggies’ persistence in trying to block the proposed Texas Tech Veterinary school – there is clearly some beef here.

It seems as though the Aggies are playing a game of hide and seek, because there is not a Texas Big 12 school that can find them on the gridiron. Do the Aggies really think they can hide forever? Who knows, maybe they can, but I know there are many Red Raiders out there saying “we want the aggies”.