Aggies' Jimbo Fisher on Bobby Petrino's Razorback Roots: 'You Can't Get Into That'
When the Texas A&M Aggies take their now-annual trip to Arlington to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium, stakes will be high and rivalry tensions higher.
Over the 15-year span that the "Southwest Classic," as it's been coined, has been around, both schools have met in Arlington a total of 11 times. From the span of 2009-11, the Razorbacks took three straight games before the Aggies joined the SEC to make it a conference matchup, which only further raised the stakes.
But apart from competing in this year's wide-open SEC West and renewing a yearly rivalry that has a history of finishing close, there is an added bit of history that makes Saturday's contest mean that much more:
Bobby Petrino will be calling plays against his former program.
Texas A&M offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino looks on during the Aggies' annual Maroon & White game on April 15, 2023.
Texas A&M athletics
Petrino spent time in Fayetteville from 2008-2011, leading the Razorbacks to a combined 34-17 record in the four years he spent there. Perhaps the incident that truly made him known, however, also occurred when he was leading Arkansas.
Petrino's infamous "motorcycle incident" involved the long-time coach crashing while with a former Arkansas All-SEC volleyball player. Amidst reports of his relationship with the former player being more than platonic, Petrino resigned from coaching and moved on to Minnesota.
But while there likely isn't any bad blood between Petrino and Arkansas that's lasted until now, Fisher spoke on his offensive coordinators' past with the Razorbacks ahead of the Aggies' face-off with them.
"Listen, when you win [games], you feel good," Fisher stated. "When you lose them, they hurt. I know that sounds cliche, but you can't get into that part of it man. You coach in this business long, when you get into our age you're going to cross over somewhere."
Fisher then went on to commend Petrino for the Aggies' offensive success, which has earned them a top-5 spot in the SEC for points per game, total points, pass yards per game and total yards per game.
"Bobby is doing a great job," Fisher said. "Moving the ball around. Getting good balance, good plays. Getting points and we're doing a good job. He's doing a really good job."
However you spin it, the Aggies have done their job on offense, even in the midst of injuries to Weigman and multiple receivers, and if Petrino remains at the helm, that's likely to continue — no matter who the opponent is.
Kickoff from Arlington for the Aggies' Southwest Classic matchup against Arkansas is set for 11 a.m. CST.