'I hate the color orange': Reed turns up heat on Texas rivalry

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed did not hold back in an interview with USA Today Sports published Tuesday, expressing his dislike for the Longhorns and their signature color as the two SEC rivals prepare for their annual meeting in November.

"I hate the color orange," Reed told USA Today. "The colors just look so ugly. Everywhere you go [in Austin], you see that color orange. Burnt orange? Who likes burnt orange?"

Reed, who is entering his third season as the Aggies' starter, made clear where his loyalties lie.

"Texas, it's the rival, bro. You gotta hate them," he said, according to USA Today.

The interview took place in April, USA Today reported, and comes as the Longhorns and Aggies have been projected as the top two teams in the SEC, ranking fifth and eighth, respectively, in the Associated Press preseason poll.

A rivalry defined by recent losses

Reed's comments are rooted in personal history. He is 0-2 in his career against Texas, with the Longhorns handing Texas A&M its first loss of the 2025 season in a 27-17 victory at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. The Aggies also fell to Texas in 2024, losing 17-7 at home in College Station.

"It sucks that we've lost to them twice," Reed said. "But they're coming here this year, so they're gonna have to pay. I've got something for them, for sure."

The Aggies will host Texas on Nov. 27 in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Reed's track record

Reed has appeared in 27 games for the Aggies over the past three seasons and led Texas A&M to its first College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. He ranked fourth in the SEC in passing last season, finishing with 3,169 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while adding 493 rushing yards and six scores.

However, he struggled in the regular-season finale against Texas and in the Aggies' CFP playoff loss to the Miami Hurricanes, throwing a combined four interceptions with no touchdown passes in those two games, according to TSN.

Reed also told USA Today, "We don't like Texas, I don't like Texas," reinforcing the intensity of the rivalry as the two programs prepare for what could be a pivotal SEC matchup late in the season.