Miami Grinds Out Gritty Road Win Over Texas A&M in College Football Playoff Opener
In a game where the weather dictated just about everything, the Miami Hurricanes leaned into the elements, leaned on their ground game, and walked out of College Station with a hard-fought 10-3 win over Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff.
It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t flashy.
But it was Miami football - at least the version Mario Cristobal has been trying to build. On a blustery day where the passing game took a backseat, the Hurricanes embraced the grind and came out on top against a tough Aggies squad.
Weather Takes Center Stage
From the moment fans tuned into the College Gameday field goal kicking competition, it was clear the wind was going to be a major player in this one. And it didn’t disappoint - or rather, it disappointed kickers on both sides. The Hurricanes and Aggies combined to go just 2-for-6 on field goal attempts, with the swirling wind making even short-range tries feel like 50-yard bombs.
That kind of weather tends to favor the team that can run the ball and control the clock - and that’s exactly what Miami did.
Mark Fletcher Jr. Powers the Ground Game
Miami’s offensive identity was crystal clear: hand the ball to Mark Fletcher Jr. and let him eat. The sophomore running back delivered a workhorse performance, racking up 172 yards on just 17 carries. That’s over 10 yards a pop - a staggering number, especially in a playoff atmosphere and on the road.
Fletcher’s ability to break tackles and find daylight was the difference-maker. With the passing game limited by the conditions, his explosive runs gave Miami field position, momentum, and ultimately, the only touchdown they’d need.
Cristobal’s game plan was deliberate - control the trenches, keep the ball on the ground, and avoid risky throws in the wind. And his team executed it to perfection.
Defense Does the Rest
Miami’s defense deserves just as much credit. They kept Texas A&M out of rhythm all afternoon, and when it mattered most, they delivered the knockout blow.
Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed struggled to get anything going through the air. He threw two interceptions, the second of which sealed the game in the final minutes. The wind certainly played a role in his accuracy issues, but Miami’s secondary stayed disciplined and opportunistic.
Texas A&M’s only points came on a field goal. Their lone touchdown - a jet sweep by wide receiver Malachi Toney - was snuffed out. Quarterback Carson Beck couldn’t get into a rhythm, and the Hurricanes’ front seven made sure of that.
What It Means for Miami - And Florida State
With the win, Miami advances to the next round of the College Football Playoff - a massive milestone for a program that’s been chasing relevance on the national stage for years. They did it without an ACC Championship, but they did it with toughness and execution when it counted.
Meanwhile, Florida State fans are watching closely. As their arch-rival moves deeper into the postseason, the Seminoles are left searching for consistency. With Miami surging and the Florida Gators bringing in a new head coach, the pressure is mounting in Tallahassee.
This offseason looms large for Florida State. In a state where college football rivalries are fierce and the margins are razor-thin, falling behind isn’t an option. Miami just fired a warning shot - and it echoed across the entire Sunshine State.
Final Thoughts
This was a throwback kind of playoff game - gritty, physical, and dictated by the weather. Miami didn’t need style points.
They needed a win. And they got it, thanks to a punishing ground game, a rock-solid defense, and a game plan that made sense from the first snap to the last.
Now they move on. And the rest of the playoff field knows exactly what kind of fight they’re in for.