RJ Young sees something familiar when he looks at Texas A&M. The FOX Sports analyst draws a striking parallel between the Aggies and Oklahoma State. These two programs have spent decades chasing their more dominant rivals. This comparison takes on new meaning as college football anticipates Arch Manning’s first full season leading Texas.
Young observed this during his “Adapt and Respond” show while breaking down the upcoming Lone Star Showdown. The analyst believes the Aggies are in a similar position to Oklahoma State in their historic Bedlam rivalry with Oklahoma.
Why Does Young Compare A&M to Oklahoma State?
Young’s comparison centers on both programs’ lopsided historical dynamics against their primary rivals. “A&M looks a lot like Oklahoma State in Bedlam,” Young stated, pointing to how both teams have struggled against dominant programs but had some breakthrough moments.
The numbers tell the story Young is highlighting. Texas leads the all-time series against A&M 77-37, a dominance that mirrors Oklahoma’s overwhelming 90-19-7 advantage over Oklahoma State in Bedlam. Both rivalries feature one program consistently overshadowing the other, creating similar underdog narratives for A&M and Oklahoma State.
Young explained the historical context behind his comparison. “You look at it historically, Texas has beaten A&M 77 times, A&M has beaten Texas just 37 times. This is going back to the 19th century that they’ve been playing this rivalry game,” he said.
The analyst noted that just as Oklahoma State’s rare victories over Oklahoma become program-defining moments, an A&M upset of Texas would carry similar weight.
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“I think that team [Texas A&M] could win six games this year, but if one of them is Texas, everybody on that team is minted for the next three, four, five, six years, period. You finally beat Texas,” Young declared.
What Makes the Texas-A&M Rivalry So Intense?
According to Young, the Lone Star Showdown is set apart by the depth of animosity between the programs. The rivalry’s intensity led to a 13-year hiatus from 2012 to 2024, triggered by Texas launching the Longhorn Network and A&M’s subsequent departure to the SEC.
“Texas and A&M hate each other enough to mess up the money,” Young explained, referencing how the programs chose separation over financial gain. “They did not play each other for damn near 15 years because they hate each other so much, even though that game on Thanksgiving is one of two, three, I was supposed to look forward to.”
The break stems from A&M feeling overshadowed by Texas’s influence in Big 12 decision-making and the perceived recruiting advantage the Longhorn Network provided. When the LHN was announced, A&M president R. Bowen Loftin noted support for leaving went from 50-50 to 95-5 almost overnight. After A&M left for the SEC, Texas refused to schedule non-conference games between the programs.
Young vividly portrayed the rivalry’s intensity in College Station. “You can’t get caught in Aggieland, College Station, with a Texas logo anywhere near you, lest somebody just come out and sock it to you, and you’ll draw, like just straight up on general principle,” he said, showing how the hatred extends far beyond the football field.
How Does Manning’s Arrival Change the Dynamic?
The 2025 season brings new stakes to Young’s comparison as Arch Manning takes over as Texas’s starting quarterback. Manning enters with massive expectations, carrying +650 Heisman Trophy odds and the pressure of leading Texas’s championship pursuit.
Manning completed 67.8% of his passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns in limited 2024 action, including a memorable performance against UTSA, where he recorded a 67-yard rushing touchdown. His first start as the established starter comes Aug. 30 against Ohio State, setting the stage for what could be a historic season.
Looking at A&M, Marcel Reed returns after a freshman campaign that showed promise and inconsistency. Young expressed concerns about Reed’s ability to perform consistently under pressure.
“We know what Marcel Reed is about, right, that just, at best, point guard, but throwing for .250, not throwing three picks, two picks game, I don’t know about that,” he said.
Young believes Reed’s development will determine whether A&M can pull off the type of upset that defines the Oklahoma State-Oklahoma dynamic.
“If he’s a .250, .150 guy, then A&M is playing in the playoff, that’s it. But if he’s not, we got a problem here,” Young observed. “Mike Elko’s defense can only do so much if he can’t score.”
The Nov. 28 meeting in Austin will be worth watching as both programs embody Young’s comparison: an underdog A&M with the potential to derail Texas’s championship aspirations, much like Oklahoma State’s rare victories over Oklahoma that reshape both programs’ seasons and legacies.
