Texas A&M Football: Fisher wants Texas in SEC scheduling model

Texas A&M football head coach Jimbo Fisher was right to express a desire to restore rivalry game with the Longhorns. Will it matter?

The talk of the town during the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Florida this week has been about schedules. More specifically, how and when the SEC will decide a scheduling model once Oklahoma and Texas enter the league and then —whether or not Texas A&M football will meet their rivals on the gridiron annually.

Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher voiced his support for the return of the Texas A&M vs. Texas matchup that was a staple in the Lone Star state for decades. “When Texas comes into the thing of course you’d want Texas, because that’s the traditional rival and the things you have,” Fisher said. But that wasn’t the end of his thought. “But there are a lot of great ones in the SEC, too.”

Even if Texas would be paired with Oklahoma rather than the Aggies, Fisher seemed completely content: “That’s fine with me.”

For Fisher, rivalry sells. Even if he has yet to experience this particular orange and maroon cocktail of intra-state fervor, he knows what it means to the fan base. Talking up the possibility makes sense.

On the other hand, after working for a decade to separate themselves from the Longhorn brand, the Aggies can’t be seen clinging to their former nemeses as soon as they walk through the proverbial door again, either. It’s a hard line to walk.

So in essence, Fisher said about the only thing he could realistically say. He played his cards right. What happens next? The reality is Fisher’s words on the subject to the media likely will have little impact on the final decision. He knows that. We know that. Now, we wait.