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Texas AD DeLoss Dodds says rivalry with A&M could return but on Texas’ terms

Brace yourself Texas and Texas A&M fans, Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds told the Daily Texan that the infamous rivalry between the two schools could resume in the near future.

Just one catch though – it will be on the Longhorns’ terms.

“They left,” Dodds told the paper. “They’re the ones that decided not to play us. We get to decide when we play again. I think that’s fair. If you did a survey of our fans about playing A&M, they don’t want to. It’s overwhelming. I know. I hear it. Our fans are important to us. I think there’s got to be a period where things get different. I think there’s too many hard feelings.”

Texas A&M bolted the Big 12 last season for the greener pastures of the SEC and thrived. It finished 11-2, toppled No. 1 Alabama, quarterback Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy and thrashed Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. Texas, on the other hand, seems to be slightly moving in the opposite direction. The Longhorns finished their third consecutive season without double-digit wins. And while some fans are calling for coach Mack Brown’s head, Brown is trying to change his team’s offensive tempo to keep up with the rest of the Big 12 Conference.

I think those of us who miss this rivalry can appreciate Dodds’ willingness to open the door, but there’s also a part that’s got to be saying, “Get over yourself.”

I also want to see a straw poll of Texas fans that don't want this rivalry renewed. I find it hard to believe that fans on both sides don't want to see this game played again.

Texas A&M is clearly in a better position right now and there’s no telling if the Aggies would even want to renew the rivalry any time soon. My guess is after reading Dodds’ smug comments, they’re not going to be too eager to open the lines of communication. Besides, Texas is going to have to get back to where it used to be – when it was competing for conference and national championships – before it would even be worth the Aggies’ while to play.

In a way, this just adds more fuel to a rivalry that, while dormant, will always burn bright deep in the heart of Texas.

“I think we'll play sometime,” Dodds said. “I don't know when it will happen or how it will happen, but I'm sure it will happen.”

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