Ross Bjork: Texas A&M wants to play Texas 'as soon as we can'

After deliberation at SEC spring meetings in Destin, the conference decided an eight-game schedule will take place in 2024. Commissioner Greg Sankey says one of the determining factors for each team will be traditional rivals, meaning Texas A&M may be back on the field with Texas in the near future.

That’s at least how Aggies athletic director Ross Bjork would have it. He said Texas A&M wants to play Texas “as soon as we can” once the league officially expands to 16 teams. If the SEC grants their wish, we will have a Lone Star Showdown during the 2024 season.

“When the league expands we prefer to play Texas as soon as we can,” Bjork said via Brett McMurphy of The Action Network.

Essentially, the SEC is wiping the slate blank for the 2024 season. There will be traditional rivalries some will insist on playing. For Bjork and Texas A&M, the LSU game has meant a lot to the program since joining the conference.

But for the seven other potential opponents are up in the air. If the SEC did not want Texas and Texas A&M to play during the 2024 season, they have the power to do so. To the public, there is no true model being followed to make the decision.

Thankfully, Bjork is in favor of meeting in 2024. You would have to imagine Sankey Texas AD Chris Del Conte is as well.

We will have our final answer on June 14, when the 2024 opponents list is revealed live on the SEC Network.

Location of first Texas, Texas A&M matchup still being debated

As for the location of the matchup, Bjork has made his point clear, saying Texas A&M would play hosts. Back in February, he was “firm” on Kyle Field being the location and doubled down on Wednesday. Texas AD Chris Del Conte shortly after said a decision on the matter has not been made.

College Station is where the final Big 12 edition of Texas-Texas A&M took place during the 2011 season. One of the two college campuses has not hosted back-to-back matchups since the early 1900s when Austin was the site five consecutive in 1902-1906.

Bjork will be hoping that changes in the near future. The decisions are in the hands of the SEC now, having just over two weeks to release opponents and locations. No matter the result, those in Austin and College Station will just be happy to be playing each other once again.