Texas A&M HC Mike Elko is excited for the return of the Lone Star Showdown

In 16 short days, No. 20-ranked Texas A&M will host the 7th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, August 31, as head coach Mike Elko’s inaugural season will include the return of the Lone Star Showdown between Texas and Texas A&M for the first time since the end of the 2011 season.

Elko and his staff are focused on the entire season at hand, but it’s hard not to get excited about what’s to come at the end of the season, knowing that both programs could possibly be fighting for a spot in the expanded college football playoff.

This week, Elko sat down with SEC Network’s Marty Smith and Ryan McGee to discuss what he expects once the matchup arrives on Saturday, November 30, as the Longhorns embark on their first SEC season and will face the Aggies in a return to Kyle Field.

“Bringing it back, the way it’s coming back, and obviously with them coming back into the same conference as us, and what that all will mean, the amount of people that are gonna be there, what it’s gonna look like celebrity-like on both sidelines, all the people who are going to try and experience that game, it’s going to feel a little bit like an occasion,” Elko stated.

“That’s what you want, right? That’s what makes college football so special. I glad they’re coming back into our league and I’m glad we get to play them on Thankgiving weekend, and I’m glad we get to settle it on the field. You shouldn’t have two brands like that so close not competing with each other.”

For what it’s worth, Elko, compared to former head coach Jimbo Fisher, has been more open to looking ahead toward key matchups, something the Aggie’s fan base has been receptive to.

Texas A&M will open the 2024 season vs. Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31. The game will air on ABC at 6:30 p.m. CT.

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