Miami Grits Out Signature Win Over Texas A&M, Eyes Cotton Bowl Clash with Ohio State
The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes didn’t just survive a trip to Kyle Field-they made a statement.
In a gritty, physical battle that felt more like a slugfest than a showcase, Miami took down No. 7 Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon, punching their ticket to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Now sitting at 11-2, the Hurricanes are set to face No. 2 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on December 31st in Dallas.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Miami enters as a 9.5-point underdog. But if Saturday’s win told us anything, it’s that this team isn’t reading the odds-they’re rewriting the narrative.
Cristobal Breaks Down the Win
Head coach Mario Cristobal joined the Joe Rose Show on WQAM Monday morning to reflect on the win and look ahead to the next challenge. And if there was one theme that kept coming up, it was toughness-mental, physical, and everything in between.
Weathering the Storm-Literally
Cristobal didn’t sugarcoat the conditions in College Station. “It was hard to throw the ball,” he said.
“I’ve never been in a game like that where the ball would sail on anything-kickoffs, punts, passes.” In a game where finesse took a backseat to grit, Miami leaned on its ground game.
Quarterback Carson Beck recognized an opening mid-game and suggested a downhill run concept that ended up being a key adjustment. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and the staff kept dialing it up, and Miami kept pounding away.
Winning in the Trenches
If you’re looking for the heartbeat of this Miami team, start at the line of scrimmage. Cristobal praised the physicality on both sides of the ball, calling it a “collective effort” that combined technique, fundamentals, and pad level.
“The more you watch the film,” he added, “the more you can find areas to improve. But there’s plenty to be proud of.”
Fueling the Fire
Sometimes, it only takes a spark. For Miami defensive end Rueben Bain, that came from Texas A&M offensive lineman Trey Zuhn, whose comments during the week gave Bain a little extra motivation.
Cristobal acknowledged the emotional element of the game: “You spend so much time telling them to keep it about business, but football is personal business. When you invest the way these guys do, that kind of stuff matters.”
Perimeter Players Bring the Punch
It wasn’t just the big men in the trenches bringing the heat. Cristobal made a point to highlight the effort and physicality from his receivers and defensive backs.
“They got after it,” he said. “They were just as physical as the big guys were.”
That kind of full-team buy-in is what separates good teams from great ones in December.
Keionte Scott’s Return Makes a Difference
After missing a month of action, nickel corner Keionte Scott returned in a big way-logging 57 snaps and leading the team with 10 tackles. “He’s physical, man,” Cristobal said.
“He doesn’t care if it’s a 6-foot-8, 360-pound lineman. He epitomizes toughness.”
Scott’s presence adds another layer to an already deep and aggressive defense.
Mo Toure’s Game-Saving Hit
One of the defining moments of the game came in the final minute, when linebacker Mo Toure delivered a jarring hit to break up what could’ve been a game-tying touchdown. Cristobal called it “a tremendous reaction,” noting that the hit-and the plays surrounding it-showed just how dialed in this defense was.
“Mo’s level of play was exemplified on that play,” Cristobal said. “We feel good about him getting healthy quickly.”
Bryce Fitzgerald: The Freshman Who Doesn’t Play Like One
Two interceptions in a playoff game? That’s not just making plays-that’s announcing your arrival.
Defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald continues to emerge as a key piece of this Miami defense. “He has a knack for finding the ball,” Cristobal said.
“He’s always been a student of the game, and he doesn’t look or play like a freshman anymore.”
Late-Game Strategy and Execution
Miami’s final touchdown wasn’t exactly by design, at least not in terms of timing. Cristobal explained that the goal was to get the first down and then go down, ideally burning more clock.
But the play was blocked so well that it went all the way. “Do we want to score?
Absolutely not,” he said. “But considering the conditions, we wanted to take it out of the kicker’s hands if possible.
Sometimes you have to go away from analytics and go with what you’re seeing on the field.”
Resilience is the Identity
As the season has progressed, Cristobal sees a team that’s hardened by adversity. “We’re becoming a tougher and tougher team,” he said. That identity was on full display against Texas A&M, where every yard was earned and every stop mattered.
Next Up: Ohio State
Now comes the biggest test yet-No. 2 Ohio State, the defending national champions.
Cristobal knows what’s ahead. “They’re defending champs for a reason,” he said.
“They’ve got talent, but schematically they pose problems at every level on both sides of the ball.”
Miami may be the underdog on paper, but this team isn’t playing like one. They’re battle-tested, physical, and locked in. If Saturday was any indication, the Hurricanes are ready to bring the fight to Dallas.
And this time, the whole country will be watching.