No. 24 Texas A&M finds itself with an early rivalry game in Week 5, and it comes against one of its most-played opponents in program history: Arkansas.
The Aggies (3-1, 1-0 in SEC play) and Razorbacks (3-1, 1-0) will take on each other on Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2:30 p.m. CT for the 81st edition of the "Southwest Classic."
But the "Southwest Classic" won't happen at Kyle Field or at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. So where will it be?
REQUIRED READING: Texas A&M football vs. Arkansas: Southwest Classic scouting report, prediction
For the 12th time since 2009, the Aggies and Razorbacks will square off inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Saturday — a unique tradition that has occurred throughout the last 15 years.
Here's why Texas A&M and Arkansas are playing at AT&T Stadium on Saturday:
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Texas A&M vs Arkansas location
- Stadium: AT&T Stadium
- Location: Arlington, Texas
Texas A&M is taking on Arkansas inside AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys , in Arlington, Texas on Saturday. AT&T Stadium has a capacity of 80,000 per Texas A&M's game notes for this week.
Why is Texas A&M football playing Arkansas at AT&M Stadium?
Saturday's contest between Texas A&M and Arkansas is the 81st edition of the "Southwest Classic" between both programs.
As for the exact reason why the game is being played at AT&T Stadium, that dates back to 2009 when both programs and the Dallas Cowboys, whom Arkansas alum Jerry Jones owns, agreed to renew the old Southwest Conference rivalry. The agreement, which was agreed upon before Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012 from the Big 12, was originally set for 10 years. Arkansas left the SWC for the SEC in 1991.
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AT&T Stadium is three hours away from Texas A&M's campus in College Station, Texas and roughly five and half hours away from Arkansas' campus in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
“This is truly a momentous day for the Arkansas football program,” former Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long said in a 2009 statement. “The chance to renew a football rivalry with Texas A&M at what will be the finest sporting facility in the world is a tremendous opportunity for the Razorbacks.
"The series will also allow our university to gain more valuable exposure in the southwest and will boost recruitment of students and student-athletes. We are grateful to our alumnus, Jerry Jones, and the Dallas Cowboys for hosting what will become an even greater football rivalry.”
Since the announcement in 2009, Texas A&M and Arkansas have played every season, even when both programs weren't scheduled to play each other in SEC play.
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Where did Jerry Jones graduate from?
Jones graduated from Arkansas in 1965, where he served as the Razorbacks' right guard. He was the co-captain of the Razorbacks' lone national championship title in 1964, won when Arkansas defeated Nebraska 10-7 in the 1965 Cotton Bowl, which was designed as the title game that season. His heroics in the 1965 Cotton Bowl earned him a spot on the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame's Class of 2020.
As noted by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jones was teammates with Jimmy Johnson and Barry Switzer at Arkansas. Both Johnson and Switzer would be hired by their college teammate to be the Cowboys' head coach from 1989-1993 and 1994-97 respectively.
Texas A&M-Arkansas series record
- Series record: Arkansas leads, 42-35-3
- Texas A&M's last win: 2023 (W, 34-22)
- Arkansas' last win: 2021 (W, 20-10)
Arkansas enters Saturday's "Southwest Classic" rivalry game with a 42-35-3 advantage in the all-time series record, per MCubed. Texas A&M has taken each of the last two games.
What channel is Texas A&M vs Arkansas on today? TV channel, streaming options
Texas A&M vs Arkansas will broadcast nationally on ESPN in Week 5 of the 2024 college football season. Dave Pasch (play-by-play) and Dusty Dvoracek (analyst) will have the call from the booth at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with Taylor McGregor reporting from the sidelines.
Streaming options include the ESPN app by logging in with your TV provider credentials, on ESPN+ , ESPN's paid streaming service, or on Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Texas A&M vs Arkansas time today
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
- Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
The Aggies and Razorbacks are scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff at AT&T Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 28.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why is Texas A&M vs Arkansas being played at AT&T Stadium? Game part of Southwest Classic
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