When Miami and Texas A&M square off in the first round of the College Football Playoff, one of the most intriguing matchups won’t be about quarterbacks or flashy receivers-it’ll be trench warfare. Specifically, Miami’s physical, downhill run game against a Texas A&M defense that’s been anything but consistent against the run all season.
Let’s start with the Aggies. Statistically, they’re middle of the pack-38th nationally, giving up 127.08 rushing yards per game.
But that number doesn't tell the full story. This is a defense that has swung wildly from game to game.
They've allowed over 200 yards on the ground five times, yet held opponents under 100 yards in six others. That kind of volatility is a red flag heading into a playoff matchup against a team that knows how to lean on the run.
And Miami? They may not have lit up the stat sheet all year-finishing the regular season 77th in rushing offense with 150.00 yards per game-but they’ve got the tools to cause real problems.
The Hurricanes have topped 200 rushing yards twice and were held under 100 only three times. They’re not elite on paper, but they’re built to test teams like Texas A&M, especially where the Aggies are most vulnerable.
A big reason for that is Miami’s offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, the Hurricanes come into the CFP with a run-blocking grade of 73.9, good for 10th in the nation.
That’s not just solid-it’s elite. And it’s a big reason why Miami ranks 21st in successful run rate at 38.1%.
This is a group that knows how to win at the point of attack and create lanes for their backs.
Speaking of backs, Mark Fletcher Jr. has been Miami’s workhorse and a force to be reckoned with. He’s logged 141 carries for 685 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, and his 90.0 PFF rushing grade ranks 11th nationally.
Fletcher thrives in Miami’s preferred run schemes-inside zone and gap runs, which make up 78% of their ground game. That’s exactly where Texas A&M has struggled the most.
The Aggies are giving up 5.4 yards per carry on inside zone and gap runs-115th in the country. That’s not just a weakness, it’s a flashing neon sign that says “run here.”
And when you zoom in on the details, it gets worse. Texas A&M allows 5.5 yards per carry overall, sixth worst among Power Four teams, and 3.9 yards after contact-fourth worst nationally.
That’s a recipe for trouble against a Miami backfield that brings both power and burst.
Fletcher brings the power. But it’s true freshman Girard Pringle who brings the juice.
Over the last four games, Pringle has emerged as Miami’s most explosive option in the backfield. He’s racked up 362 yards on just 58 carries-an eye-popping 6.24 yards per carry.
He’s not just moving the chains; he’s flipping field position. Pringle has 15 first downs, nine runs of 10-plus yards, and three of 20 or more.
One out of every 6.44 carries goes for double digits. That kind of big-play ability can be a game-changer-especially in a hostile environment like Kyle Field, where silencing over 100,000 fans might be as important as scoring points.
And that’s where this matchup could tilt. Texas A&M’s struggles against the run don’t just come from missed tackles up front.
According to PFF’s Max Chadwick, the issues are deeper-literally. The Aggies’ second and third levels, their linebackers and defensive backs, haven’t been up to the task.
That’s where Miami can feast. If Fletcher and Pringle get to the second level clean, it could be a long night for the Aggies.
So while the headlines might focus on quarterbacks or playoff pressure, the real story here could be on the ground. Miami has a run game built to exploit Texas A&M’s defensive soft spots. And if the Hurricanes can establish that early and often, they won’t just be moving the ball-they’ll be controlling the game.