The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes will travel to College Station to face the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday afternoon in what shapes up as one of the most compelling matchups of the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Miami (10-2) enters the postseason with a roster built on physicality and depth under coach Mario Cristobal, who has molded the Hurricanes into one of the nation’s most imposing teams. The program’s resurgence has drawn comparisons to Miami’s championship eras of 1991 and 2001, with talent spread across both sides of the ball.
The Hurricanes’ offense is highlighted by freshman wide receiver Malachi Toney, one of the nation’s most dynamic playmakers. Toney finished the regular season with 84 receptions for 970 yards, setting Miami single-season records for a freshman in both categories. He added seven receiving touchdowns, tying the program mark for a true freshman.
Toney’s impact extends beyond traditional receiver duties. He has lined up both outside and in the slot, taken snaps in the Wildcat formation and contributed as a runner and passer. Toney rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown and threw two touchdown passes, giving Miami a versatile weapon capable of stressing defenses in multiple ways. Quick, short passes to Toney could be a key strategy for Miami as it looks to neutralize Texas A&M’s aggressive pass rush.
Defensively, Miami is anchored by defensive lineman Reuben Bain, widely projected as a top pick in the next NFL draft. At 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, Bain has emerged as one of the program’s premier defenders, drawing comparisons to former Miami greats such as Warren Sapp, Russell Maryland and Calais Campbell. Bain’s ability to disrupt both the run and pass allows him to dominate games from multiple alignments.
If Texas A&M commits extra resources to slowing Bain, Miami has another threat in Akheem Mesidor. Mesidor led the Hurricanes with seven sacks and added 46 tackles, ranking third on the team. His presence ensures offenses cannot focus solely on Bain without consequences.
What sets the Hurricanes apart
Miami’s secondary, led by Keionte Scott, Jakobe Thomas and Bryce Fitzgerald, provides the Hurricanes flexibility to attack up front. The trio has shown strong ball-hawking ability and will look to challenge Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed by limiting explosive plays through the air.
Statistically, Miami’s defense has been among the nation’s best. The Hurricanes finished seventh in the country in run defense, allowing just 86.8 yards per game, and ranked 10th in third-down defense by holding opponents to a 29% conversion rate. Miami also limited opponents to 13.8 points per game, placing it firmly among the top defensive units in the FBS.
The offensive X-factor for Miami is quarterback Carson Beck, who transferred from Georgia to finish his collegiate career with the Hurricanes. Beck brings extensive big-game experience, having played in two SEC championship games and leading Georgia to a 63-3 victory over Florida State in the 2023 Orange Bowl.
Across his college career, Beck has thrown for more than 10,000 yards. He closed the regular season in strong form, completing more than 75% of his passes over the final four games while throwing 10 touchdowns and just one interception. Miami’s offense is built around Beck’s accuracy and ability to stretch the field, particularly with Toney and wide receiver CJ Daniels, who also finished the season with seven touchdowns.
However, Beck’s season was not without blemishes. He threw four interceptions in a loss to Louisville and had a costly interception in overtime against SMU, a defeat that kept Miami out of the ACC championship game and likely cost the Hurricanes a first-round bye. Beck’s decision-making will be critical against a Texas A&M defense that recorded only three interceptions during the regular season.
The Aggies look to hold their ground
Texas A&M (11-1), under first-year coach Mike Elko, has reached the College Football Playoff for the first time, accomplishing a feat that eluded the program during the Jimbo Fisher era. Long known for elite recruiting, the Aggies have seen that talent gel in 2025.
Reed leads the Aggies after a standout season in which he threw for 2,932 yards, 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while adding 466 rushing yards and six scores. He was a Heisman Trophy candidate and remains the focal point of the Texas A&M offense.
Defensively, the Aggies are defined by their pass rush. Texas A&M recorded 41 sacks, tied with Oklahoma for the most in the nation. Senior defensive end Cashius Howell led the team with 11.5 sacks, ranking fifth nationally and continuing the program’s tradition of elite edge rushers.
Miami’s counter to that pressure is a veteran offensive line anchored by left tackle Markel Bell. The 6-foot-9, 340-pound Bell has been one of the nation’s most reliable tackles and is expected to receive help through chips and double teams from running backs and tight ends.
Saturday’s matchup promises a physical, playoff-style contest. With Bain leading an aggressive defense, Toney providing explosive playmaking and Beck offering veteran leadership, Miami believes it has the pieces to leave College Station with a win and advance to the second round of the College Football Playoff.
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