The Miami Hurricanes are about to make history - stepping into their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. And it won't be easy.
As the No. 10 seed, Miami is heading into a tough road environment in College Station to face No. 7 Texas A&M, a team that rattled off 11 straight wins before stumbling against Texas in the regular-season finale.
This matchup is about as even as they come. Vegas has the Aggies as a 3.5-point favorite, but this one feels like it could swing either way. Let’s break down the five key battles that will shape this game - the kind of battles that define who advances and who goes home.
1. Miami’s Defensive Line vs. Texas A&M’s Offensive Line
If you love trench warfare, this is your kind of game.
Texas A&M’s offensive front has been one of the best in the country all season. Left tackle Trey Zuhn III has been a wall - allowing just one sack and eight total pressures all year, earning him the No. 1 pass-blocking grade in the nation from Pro Football Focus. As a unit, the Aggies have surrendered only 12 sacks - tied for 11th nationally.
But this Miami pass rush is a different animal. The Hurricanes boast a 91.8 pass-rush grade from PFF - second only to fellow playoff team Texas Tech - and they’ve racked up 34 sacks on the year. Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor are both top-five edge defenders in the country by PFF grade (among players with 100+ snaps), and defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. ranks 17th among interior linemen.
The Aggies haven’t faced a front like this all season. And when it comes to stopping the run, Miami is just as stout.
The Hurricanes rank seventh nationally in rushing yards allowed per game and own a top-15 run defense grade. Meanwhile, Texas A&M’s run-blocking grade sits at a modest 62 - good for 61st in the country.
This is a strength-on-strength matchup, but Miami’s defensive line might be the single most disruptive unit on the field.
2. Miami’s Offensive Line vs. Texas A&M’s Defensive Line
Now flip the script - because the Hurricanes’ offensive line is going to have its hands full, too.
Texas A&M leads the nation in sacks with 41, and All-American edge rusher Cashius Howell is the reason why. Howell has notched 11.5 sacks on the year and carries a 90.5 pass-rushing grade - second-best in the SEC among defenders with 200+ snaps.
But Miami’s offensive line isn’t just good - it’s elite. The unit has allowed just 11 sacks all season (tied for seventh nationally) and owns the No. 4 pass-blocking grade in the country. That’s not a fluke - they’ve also allowed just 47 quarterback pressures, fourth-fewest in the nation.
This line isn’t just keeping quarterback Carson Beck upright - they’re opening holes in the run game, too. Miami ranks 10th nationally in run-blocking, according to PFF. The Aggies’ run defense is solid - 25th in PFF grade, 38th in rushing yards allowed - but they’ll be tested by a balanced Miami attack.
This matchup is going to be a chess match in the trenches. If Miami can neutralize Howell and company, Beck could have a big day.
3. Miami’s Offensive Line vs. The Flags
It’s not just the Aggies’ pass rush Miami has to worry about - it’s their own discipline.
The Hurricanes have been one of the most-penalized teams in the nation, averaging 7.6 penalties per game - 125th overall. And a lot of that comes from the offensive line.
Five of Miami’s six main linemen - Markel Bell, Anez Cooper, Matthew McCoy, Francis Mauigoa, and Samson Okunlola - have each been flagged six times. Center James Brockermeyer isn’t far behind with five.
That kind of self-inflicted damage can derail drives in a playoff setting.
There’s a silver lining, though. In their regular-season finale against Pitt, Miami played its cleanest game of the season - just five penalties for 28 yards, only three of which came from the offensive line. That’s the version of this unit that needs to show up in College Station.
4. Carson Beck vs. Texas A&M’s Secondary
For Miami to win, Carson Beck needs to keep playing like he has over the last month - not like the version that threw four picks against Louisville earlier in the year.
Since the loss to SMU, Beck has been lights out: 79.5% completion rate, 1,125 yards, 11 touchdowns, and just one interception. That’s the kind of production that can carry a team in the postseason.
The Aggies’ pass defense is solid - 21st nationally in passing yards allowed per game - but they haven’t faced a passing offense quite like Miami’s, which ranks 19th in the country at 275.8 yards per game.
What’s more, Texas A&M hasn’t exactly been a ball-hawking defense. They’ve picked off just three passes all year.
Among their defensive backs, safety Marcus Ratcliffe leads the way in coverage grade, but he ranks just 66th nationally. Corners Dezz Ricks and Will Lee III both sit in the middle of the SEC pack in PFF coverage grades.
If Beck gets time - and if Miami’s offensive line keeps the pocket clean - he could pick apart this secondary.
5. Miami’s Cornerbacks vs. KC Concepcion and Mario Craver
Texas A&M’s offense is powered by two of the most electric receivers in the SEC: KC Concepcion and Mario Craver. These guys are the real deal.
Concepcion is tied for the SEC lead with nine touchdown catches and ranks fourth in receiving yards with 886. Craver isn’t far behind with 825 yards and four scores. According to PFF, they rank second and third in receiving grade among SEC wideouts with 50 or more targets.
Miami’s secondary will have its hands full - but help might be on the way. OJ Frederique Jr. is expected to return from injury, and slot corner Keionte Scott may be back as well. Their presence would be a huge boost, especially against two receivers who can flip the game in a single play.
Even with reinforcements, Miami’s corners will need to play disciplined, physical football. Concepcion and Craver are the kind of receivers who can take over a game if they get loose.
Final Thoughts
This one’s got all the ingredients: elite line play, explosive skill talent, and two quarterbacks who can sling it. Miami has the firepower to win this game - but they’ll need to play clean, protect the quarterback, and find a way to slow down Texas A&M’s pass rush and top-tier receivers.
The Hurricanes have waited a long time for a shot like this. Now it’s time to see if they’re ready to make a run.