When Miami lines up against Texas A&M this weekend, all eyes should be on the trenches. This isn’t just another game-it’s a heavyweight clash between one of the nation’s most efficient offensive lines and a Texas A&M defensive front that’s been tearing up backfields all season.
Let’s start with what makes this such a marquee matchup: Texas A&M’s defensive line is elite. The Aggies rank second nationally in tackles for loss, averaging a disruptive 8.67 per game, and they’re tied with Oklahoma for sacks per contest at 3.42. That’s not just production-that’s havoc.
At the center of that chaos is defensive end Cashius Howell, who’s been a one-man wrecking crew in 2025. Howell has racked up 14.0 tackles for loss and is tied for fourth in the country with 11.5 sacks.
According to Pro Football Focus, he’s earned a 90.5 pass-rushing grade-good for 16th nationally among defenders with 200+ snaps. In short, Howell isn’t just getting into the backfield-he’s living there.
But Miami isn’t coming into this fight unarmed. Far from it.
The Hurricanes’ offensive line has been one of the most consistent and efficient units in the country. They rank fifth nationally in limiting tackles for loss (just 3.50 per game allowed) and eighth in sacks allowed at a stingy 0.92 per game.
That’s not just solid protection-it’s elite.
The engine of that offensive line? Right tackle Francis Mauigoa, who’s been a wall on the edge.
Mauigoa took home the 2025 Jacobs Trophy as the ACC’s top blocker, and the numbers back it up. He’s sixth nationally among offensive tackles with an 85.9 overall PFF grade and third in pass blocking with an 88.8.
That’s rarefied air for any lineman, let alone one anchoring the edge against a pass rusher like Howell.
So yes, Mauigoa vs. Howell is must-see football.
Two future first-rounders going head-to-head, each capable of tilting the game in his team’s favor. It’s the kind of matchup scouts love and fans can’t stop watching.
But beyond the individual duel, this game is going to be decided by how well Miami can keep Texas A&M from creating negative plays. That’s been the Aggies’ calling card lately-they’ve recorded at least 10 tackles for loss in four of their last five games and have logged four or more sacks in six games this season. When they’re cooking, they’re living in the opponent’s backfield.
Still, there’s a potential crack in the armor: Texas A&M’s run defense has been inconsistent. They rank 25th in run defense grade per PFF, but they’re just 38th in total rushing yards allowed per game (127.08) and 58th in yards per carry (4.03).
That’s where Miami might find its edge. If the Hurricanes can establish the ground game early, they can neutralize the Aggies’ pass rush and keep their offense on schedule.
This is the kind of matchup Mario Cristobal has been building toward since taking over in Coral Gables. He’s made it clear that Miami’s identity starts up front, and Saturday will be the ultimate test of that philosophy. If the Hurricanes can win the battle in the trenches-especially against a front as aggressive and talented as Texas A&M’s-they’ll give themselves a real shot at controlling the tempo and dictating the terms of the game.
So buckle up. This isn’t just a game-it’s a showcase of two of the best units in college football going toe-to-toe. And the outcome could hinge on which side of the line gets the last word.