COLLEGE STATION, Texas — The biggest rivals in the state of Texas will be taking to the field in College Station Saturday.
It will be the first football game between the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M aggies in 13 years.
The game is a big deal for fans and a big deal for business.
The die-hard Texas Aggie fans packed into half of the stadium at Kyle Field for their signature pep rally ahead of Saturday's big game. Usually held at midnight, Yell Practice was at 5:30 p.m. Friday with thousands of students in attendance.
The Lone Star Showdown against the Longhorns will be bigger than any other game this season.
The rivalry between the two schools dates back to 1894.
"It's a renewal of a rivalry," said TAMU senior Rachel Weinman, who was at yell practice with her friends Friday night. "It means a lot for school pride and also the SEC title. We always show up when people think we won't so we're going to show up tomorrow."
Billy Carter and his friend, UT alumni Jeff Culwell, made the trip from Austin to College Station for the game.
"At the hotel, the lady said, 'I think you might be in the wrong part of town.' And I said, 'Well I don't think I'll be the only one,'" Carter said.
The men are staying at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center across the street from Kyle Field.
"It's a mega event for sure," said the hotel's general manager Greg Stafford.
Stafford says all of the rooms at the hotel have been booked for about one year.
"By about 3:00 tomorrow there will be about 3,000 people in this hotel," Stafford said.
The game carries added weight: the winner will play Georgia for the SEC title.