The Miami Hurricanes just sent a message to the college football world-and they did it with defense. Shutting down the No.
7 Texas A&M Aggies, a team that had been averaging over 36 points per game, is no small feat. Holding that kind of offense to just three points?
That’s not just a good day at the office-that’s a defensive statement. And yet, somehow, the oddsmakers aren’t buying it.
According to the latest numbers from FanDuel, Miami sits at +2200 to win the national championship. That’s second-to-last among the remaining contenders, just ahead of Ole Miss.
Meanwhile, Ohio State-the team Miami is set to face next-is sitting pretty at +180 to win it all. That’s a massive gap, and one that doesn’t quite reflect the level of football Miami just put on tape.
Let’s be clear: Ohio State is a different kind of beast. Their defense is physical, fast, and disciplined.
They’re built to make life miserable for quarterbacks and coordinators alike. But if we’re talking about recent performances, Miami has every reason to feel like they belong.
That dominant effort against Texas A&M wasn’t a fluke-it was the result of a disciplined, aggressive game plan that executed at a championship level.
The Hurricanes didn’t just win-they suffocated. They controlled the tempo, shut down explosive plays, and forced the Aggies into uncomfortable situations all night.
That kind of defensive control doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of preparation, talent, and trust in the system-a system Mario Cristobal has been steadily building since his return to Coral Gables.
And yet, the betting markets remain skeptical. Miami trails not only Ohio State, but also an Alabama team that’s stumbled down the stretch, and a Texas Tech squad whose regular-season resume includes BYU as its toughest test. That’s not a knock on those programs-it’s a reflection of how little respect Miami is getting, even after one of the most impressive defensive performances of the postseason.
You can bet Cristobal and his staff are using that as fuel. This is the kind of doubt that teams love to rally around.
The Hurricanes have already shown they can punch above their weight. Now they’ve got a shot to prove that wasn’t a one-time thing.
If Miami finds a way to knock off No. 2 Ohio State, the narrative shifts completely.
The oddsmakers will have no choice but to take them seriously. Until then, the Hurricanes will just keep doing what they’ve done best lately-playing tough, inspired football, and letting the scoreboard do the talking.
For now, the odds may not be in their favor. But if the defense keeps showing up like it did against Texas A&M, Miami might just turn some heads-and shake up the playoff picture in the process.