USA TODAY Sports predicts the winner of Texas A&M football vs Texas

No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) will take on No. 16 Texas (8-3, 5-2 SEC) in the second edition of the Lone Star Showdown this decade, as the Aggies are seeking revenge after falling to the Longhorns 17-7 during last season's meeting in Kyle Field.

However, the tables have turned in 2025, and Texas A&M's goals of finishing 12-0 and earning a spot in the SEC Championship Game are on the line, while Texas is desperate for a win to have any outside shot of making it to the College Football Playoff, as slim as those hopes may be.

This week, head coach Mike Elko's aggressive tone during Monday's press conference wasn't rooted in anger, but passion and focus, knowing that everything is on the line against a team that isn't just the program's primary rival, but another team in the way of accomplishing what many deemed as unrealistic before the season began.

On paper, Texas A&M, led by starting quarterback Marcel Reed, transfer wide receivers KC Concepcion and Mario Craver, and a pass rush that has produced 39 sacks this season, is the better team. Still, the Longhorns are 5-0 at home this season, while quarterback Arch Manning is playing some of his best football late in the season.

Senior edge Cashius Howell, who leads the SEC with 11.5 sacks, will look to expose Texas's leaky offensive line, needing to pressure Manning to prevent him from gaining a rhythm through the air. Still, this game will be determined by Marcel Reed's decision-making, knowing that the Longhorn defense, especially sophomore edge Colin Simmons, will look to set the edge and force him to make plays in the pocket.

Nationally, Texas A&M is a 2.5-point road favorite. The USA TODAY Sports team revealed its picks for Friday's 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

USA TODAY Sports' prediction for Texas A&M vs. Texas

On Thursday, USA TODAY Sports' team of college football experts unveiled their weekly picks and predictions for every top 25 team in Week 14, headlined by No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 16 Texas.

Writers Matt Hayes, Paul Meyerberg, and Blake Toppemeyer all picked the Longhorns to protect home field. In contrast, Jordan Mendoza, Erick Smith, and Eddie Timanus picked Texas A&M to finish 12-0 and earn a spot in the SEC Championship Game. If the Aggies win, this would be the first victory over Texas on the gridiron since the 2010 season, which also took place in Austin.

Texas still leads the series 77-37-5, but these records mean nothing when bragging rights aren't the focus.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M vs Texas winner predicted by USA TODAY Sports