What is the story about?
Get to Know Miami:
- Location: Coral Gables, FL
- Established: 1925
- Enrollment: 19,852
- Mascot: Hurricanes
- Colors: Orange, white and green
- Conference: ACC
What You Need to Know:
- The No. 7 Aggies are 11-1 (7-1) and finished tied for 1st in the SEC regular season standings. No. 10 Miami is 10-2 (6-2) and finished tied for 2nd in the ACC regular season standings.
- Miami is in year three of the Mario Cristobal era and in year two of spending big on a portal QB (Cam Ward in 2024, Carson Beck in 2025).
- The Hurricanes have a costumed Ibis mascot named Sebastian, which I’d criticize as nonsensical if the Aggies’ live mascot wasn’t a Collie named Reveille.
Betting Lines:
- The Aggies are a 3.5-point favorite.
- the over/under for points is set at 51.5.
Historical Notes:
- A&M and Miami have met five times, with Miami leading the series 3-2. Each team won at their respective venue when the teams played a home-and-home series in 2022 and 2023.
- Both teams are making their first appearance in the College Football Playoff.
- Mike Elko is undefeated in 11 a.m. kickoffs as the head coach of Texas A&M
- Famous Miami alumni include Rick Barry, Wayne Brady, Ray Liotta, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kimbo Slice, Gloria Estefan, Bruce Hornsby and Jon Secada.
What To Watch For:
- Health?: RB Le’Veon Miss and LB Scooby Williams essentially missed the entire second half of the regular season. WR Mario Craver has clearly been playing through an injury in recent weeks. Will these players be in the lineup and back at full speed? If so, it drastically improves A&M’s chances to pull out the victory.
- Consistency? A&M’s last two games against P4 opponents (South Carolina and Texas) have featured wild swings in the Aggies’ quality of play from one half to another. Can they avoid critical mistakes and long stretches of ineffectiveness? If not, it could be what does them in.
- Successful kicks? Punts and field goals have been an outright liability for the Aggies this season, with multiple punts blocked and even more field goals missed (three misses from <40 yards and making just 45.5% from 40+ yards). In a game where the margins may be small, an error like that could easily cost you points and – ultimately – a win.
- Interceptions? Texas A&M is No. 21 nationally in passing defense but No. 130 in interceptions. The Aggies have only three INTs on the year, and not a single one has been by a cornerback. If this is the game they can finally make it happen, it might just be what could swing the outcome.
Media Blitz:
- Venue: Kyle Field (College Station, TX)
- Kickoff: 11 am. Saturday, Dec. 20
- TV: ABC
- Read the latest on the Hurricanes on their SB Nation team site, State of the U
Weather:
- Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 76F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.
