Animosity between UTexas and TAMU runs quite deep here in the Lone Star State. I've worked with grads from both schools. Heh, one certain director I worked with came under fire because he's a TAMU grad, usually only hired TAMU grads and discarded most resumes submitted by UTexas grads. As he once told me, "Aggies have their heads on straight".
Even the respective higher learning systems,
University of Texas System and
Texas A&M University System, are considered enormous by US standards. Combined enrollment nears 400,000 students.
Governor Abbott is a UTexas undergrad AND Vanderbilt Law grad. I'm quite sure he'll bless this deal. Unlike late Lt. Governor Bob Bullock (Texas Tech '56, Baylor Law '58), who
literally forced the Big XII merger, current Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is an "outsider" and therefore enjoys minimal input. Local talk radio reported Waco (Baylor) and Lubbock (Texas Tech) state reps plan on lobbying for their respective constituents. Big money and brand recognition are at stake.
Interesting times, for sure.