CFB Most Influential Programs
#34 Texas A&M Aggies
School: Texas A&M Aggies
First Game: October 19th, 1894
Winning Percentage: .603 (25th)
Appearances in AP Rank: 490 (19th)
Average AP Ranking: 12.6
National Titles: 3
Claim to Fame: The most hated rival of Texas and has a specifically unique college football culture. In a sport that is very rich in tradition in general, Texas A&M takes it to another level. They were also the first team to travel across an ocean to play college football, doing a tour of Europe in 1976.
Why I have them in my Collection: To be honest, for all the money they’re willing to spend and how football mad their fans are, the Aggies, objectively, have underachieved. They haven’t won a title since before the second World War. So why are they in the collection?
For me it’s simple. They have many outstanding moments throughout the years, both good and bad. From Johnny Manziel to their famed 12th man, college football lore can’t be properly documented without talking about the school in College Station. Also, being a hated rival Texas actually has a modicum of respect for saying something about them as well. (Just because you think you’re someone’s rival doesn’t mean you actually are).
Some people say their fan base is a cult. If I ever went to Texas A&M I would make sure I wear the most neutral colors possible. But odd YouTube clips of pep rallies before games do not make a fan base. Even being in a small town where the college is the life blood isn’t all that unique. Yes, their traditions are a bit quirkier than most, but you can’t say their fans lack passion that’s for sure.
One could absolutely say they are a program with no real national relevance since the 1930s, but I feel that’s a little too dismissive. They have been factoring into conference and national title races plenty since then. As such, it would be hard to try and write a complete history of college football without including the Aggies.
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