The first round of the College Football Playoff provides two potential blowouts and two matchups between top programs that should deliver must-watch action. The game we’re most excited for come Saturday is the duel between the Miami Hurricanes versus the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field.
Let’s dive into our College Football Playoff predictions for Miami vs Texas A&M.
Texas A&M Rushes for 100+ Yards on Miami
An entire team putting up 100-plus rushing yards on Miami hasn’t happened often this season. Heading into the College Football Playoff, the Hurricanes defense ranked seventh in rushing yards allowed per game (86.8) with the 10th-lowest yards-per-carry average. Just three of its opponents eclipsed 100 rushing yards this year. Texas A&M will become the fourth. Even if Aggies running back Le’Veon Moss doesn’t return, this is a backfield with three players (Marcel Reed, Rueben Owens II and Amari Daniels) averaging 5.2 ypc or higher. Texas A&M needs to establish the run to set up the play-action and slow down Miami’s pass rush, and that will be accomplished.
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Malachi Toney Records Third Straight 100-Yard Game
Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney is this season’s Ryan Williams. Except, the 5-foot-11 Miami native came into college football as a three-star recruit. The only reason Toney didn’t eclipse the 1,000-yard mark during the regular season is because of the inconsistency from quarterback Carson Beck. We do, however, like this matchup for Toney. Texas A&M’s defense has a bit of a penchant for missing tackles and giving up some explosive plays. For Toney, who averaged 7.2 yards after catch per reception (8th in FBS) with the second-most missed tackles forced (26), this is a golden opportunity, and he’ll deliver his third consecutive 100-yard performance.
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Marcel Reed Struggles with Accuracy, Throws INT
We’re certainly concerned about this matchup regarding the performance from both quarterbacks. Specifically for Marcel Reed, it’s about what could happen if the Hurricanes pass rush rattles him and forces him to make uncomfortable throws. When he’s been pressured this year, per PFF, Reed has completed just 39.5 percent of his pass attempts (30-of-76). If Miami’s pass rush can generate some consistent pressure, which it has demonstrated on several occasions this year, Reed could make just enough mistakes with the football to put the Hurricanes in position for a win.
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Aggies Escape with a Win over Miami
This comes down to a lack of confidence in Mario Cristobal and Carson Beck. Texas A&M doesn’t just have home-field advantage in this College Football Playoff matchup versus Miami, it has the edge at head coach and quarterback. It will probably require multiple takeaways generated by this Hurricanes defense to win, and the Aggies still have answers offensively if Reed is struggling. It’ll be a tight game, but Texas A&M pulls it out at home with Beck’s interception ending a potential go-ahead touchdown drive.
- Prediction: Texas A&M Aggies 28, Miami Hurricanes 24
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