| Miami Hurricanes (10-2) at Texas A&M Aggies (11-1) | |||
| Game Details: Saturday, December 20, Noon ET | |||
| Location: College Station, TX | |||
| Where to Watch: ABC |
Matchup
This is a real playoff game. No conference rules guaranteed entry. It is a no-doubter. Therefore, there is no doubt that this will be the best game on Saturday. For Miami, it’s a chance to snap a brutal streak of 13 consecutive road losses against top-10 opponents dating back to November 2005. For Texas A&M, it’s the first step toward ending a national championship drought that stretches all the way back to 1939.
This first-round clash also features the only two programs in the country that managed to take down Notre Dame during the regular season, a shared distinction that adds a layer of intrigue to this elimination game.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Hurricanes | +3.5 | +130 | Over 48.5 |
| Texas A&M Aggies | -3.5 | -154 | Under 48.5 |
**Statistics from various online sources, courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports **
Tale of The Tape
| Miami Hurricanes | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Texas A&M Aggies |
|---|---|---|
| 34.1 | Points Per Game | 36.3 |
| 275.8 | Passing Yards Per Game | 261.8 |
| 150.0 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 192.7 |
| 13.8 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 21.9 |
| 190.9 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 182.9 |
| 86.8 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 127.1 |
Statistics from various online sources, courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports
Key Details
Miami Hurricanes
Quarterback Carson Beck didn’t transfer from Georgia to settle for a bowl game; he came with a singular focus on capturing a national title. Despite recent turnovers, Beck brings an incredible pedigree to College Station, boasting a 34-5 career record as a starter and over 10,984 career yards.
He was surgical during the four-game winning streak that propelled the Hurricanes into playoff contention. Beck will be looking to connect with standout receiver Malachi Toney, who enters the contest needing just 30 yards to record the eighth 1,000-yard receiving season in school history.
On the other side of the ball, the Hurricanes rely on a defense that surrenders just 18.2 points per game. The unit is anchored by Rueben Bain Jr., the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Bain has been a nightmare for offensive lines, racking up 12.5 sacks and 18.0 tackles for loss.
Texas A&M Aggies
Under head coach Mike Elko, the Aggies have turned Kyle Field into a fortress, boasting a perfect 7-0 record at home this season. While the offense averages 31.8 points per game behind dual-threat quarterback Marcel Reed, the defense is the true headliner.
Defensive end Cashius Howell, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, leads the charge with 11.5 sacks. He is joined by the versatile K.C. Concepcion, a Paul Hornung Award winner who made history as the first Aggie in the modern era to record a receiving touchdown, rushing touchdown, and punt return score in a single season.
Prediction
Good morning, West Coast, it’s 9 a.m., and the best game of the day is on TV. No matter how much complaining, this will not change. Texas A&M will win this close game. Why? Their come-from-behind win against South Carolina has instilled the right amount of toughness to win a game like this. It is tempting to take the point and Miami, but close games do not always mean a tidy one or two-point difference.
