Hello, Canes fam! Been a good while, but we’re back for another opponent Q&A as the Canes head deeper into the 2025 College Football Playoffs.
Joining us today to talk about his beloved Texas A&M Aggies
is Robert Behrens. He’s one of the writers over at our SB Nation sister-site Good Bull Hunting.
I returned the favor and answered some of Robert’s questions about Miami. I’ll post that when it’s published.
With no further ado, let’s check in with Robert and learn a little about Texas A&M.
Question 1. Texas A&M is one of the most talented teams in the country, and went 11-1 in the regular season. Where did that fall relative to your expectations coming into this season?
Behrens: Undoubtedly this season has exceeded expectations for everyone, except for maybe those inside the A&M football complex. Most A&M fans entered this season just looking for progress – an upward trajectory in year two to build upon in the future. Being in the Playoff may have been in the range of outcomes, but there was nobody I know who was expecting it. A&M got solid line play on both sides, got improvement from QB Marcel Reed, impact WRs via the portal and (relatively) good injury luck. A great recipe for a wildly successful season. It’s been a great ride (save for that one game we won’t discuss), and we sure would like to see it last a few weeks more.
Question 2. Along those same lines, Head Coach Mike Elko is in his 2nd year back with the Aggies, after having been the Defensive Coordinator for 4 years previously. Did you expect him to have you in the playoffs this early into his tenure?
Behrens: I don’t think making the Playoff in year two was the expectation, but the turnaround at A&M happening pretty rapidly isn’t a complete shock. Talent was not an issue. Resources and geography aren’t an issue. People have said for years that A&M had all the ingredients of a winning program, they simply needed the right person at the helm. It sure seems like they finally got him. Elko’s defensive prowess was a known commodity, but his leadership with regard to accountability, culture, and the proper leadership structure for a modern college football has been a pleasant surprise. It doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps in the road to come, but it certainly feels like a good time to be an A&M football fan.
Question 3. What was your reaction to drawing Miami as the opponent for the opening round CFP game?
Behrens: If I’m being completely honest, it was a reaction of slight relief. Notre Dame gave A&M everything we could handle back in September, and there was certainly a part of me that didn’t love the idea of them getting a second crack at us in a revenge game. But I truly don’t mean that as a slight to Miami. I think ultimately the selection committee did the right thing in putting Miami in ahead of the Irish. Results have to matter. And as Miami proved in that game, they have the capability to play with anyone when they’re at their best.
Question 4. Alright, time to get into the game. Let’s start on defense. Talk to me about this side of the ball. What’s the scheme, and who are the standout players making plays?
Behrens: Elko generally runs a 4-2-5, and as you likely already know, loves to bring exotic pressure packages, particularly on obvious passing downs. It’s why A&M is among the national leaders in sacks, tackles for loss and third down conversion rate. That said, they also have a proclivity for giving up chunk plays, particularly in the run game. That Achilles heel has kept many a game closer that it rightly should have been when A&M looked to have dominated on a down-to-down basis. SEC Defensive Player of the Year Cashius Howell is a pass rush monster, and transfer DL Tyler Onyedim has been another impact player up front. And you can’t talk about the A&M defense without mentioning LB Taurean York, an undersized player with an exceptional football IQ. He’s not physically imposing, but he is quite good at being in the right place at the right time (which is why he is yet again leading the Aggies in tackles).
Question 5. EDGE Cashius Howell is a monster. How has his performance shaped this season, and what can Miami do to mitigate his impact?
Behrens: Howell really is a beast, and if you have any sort of weakness at tackle, it could be a long day for Carson Beck. But the best way to mitigate Howell is just staying ahead of the chains. The worst thing they could do is get into 2nd and 3rd and longs and allow Howell to pin his ears back while Elko either simulates or brings pressure from other places as well.
Question 6. Who is/are an unsung hero/es on defense that more people should be talking about?
Behrens: Most Aggies know this, but not enough has been said about the improved play of CB Dezz Ricks. The former five-star recruit transferred after one season at Alabama, and admittedly, struggled mightily in 2024. The coaching staff even admitted in the offseason that they played him before he was ready last season out of necessity. Coming into the season, many expected him to get beat out for the starting job by Georgia transfer Julio Humphrey or Washington transfer Jordan Shaw, but Dezz won the job and has thrived playing alongside CB Will Lee. While interceptions have been hard to come by, seeing these guys get truly beat has been a rarity, and they’ve made many a QB have to really earn their passing stats.
Question 7. Time to turn to the offense. Let’s start with the QB, Marcel Reed. He’s taken a step forward this year. Talk to me about his season, his improvement, and his skillset.
Behrens: Marcel has undoubtedly improved, and it’s played a huge role in A&M’s offensive success this season. He’s been way more decisive and done a much better job of consistently finding the open receiver compared to a year ago. Combine that with his game-changing mobility, and he can be an absolute problem for opposing defenses. The flip side to that is that Marcel has been inconsistent at times. He’ll have a quarter where his accuracy wavers, he’s shown a proclivity for red zone turnovers in recent weeks, and his deep ball accuracy is a continued question mark (though it has seemed to improve as the season has worn on).
If the best version of Marcel shows up on Saturday, A&M is one of the best teams in the country. If not, they can be vulnerable. But this team has also proven that they can win in multiple ways, so either way, they should stand a chance against the Canes.
Question 8. One thing that will tell the story of this game is offensive line play. How do you think A&M’s line has played this season, and will play against Miami?
Behrens: A&M returned every starter on the OL from a year ago, and it has shown, especially in pass protection. The only times they have ever really struggled is with seemingly NFL-ready talent like South Carolina’s Dylan Stewart of Texas’ Collin Simmons. Of course, Rueben Bain certainly seems to fit that description (even if his game is pretty different). I that the A&M OL vs the Miami DL is the matchup of the game, and whichever one has more success may just decide this thing.
Question 9. The Aggies score almost a touchdown more per game this year. Who are the skill players responsible for this improvement in scoring?
Behrens: The offensive explosiveness for the Aggies absolutely starts with WRs KC Concepcion and Mario Craver. Neither possess elite size, but both have game-changing speed and have proven surprisingly tough to bring down. A&M loves to find ways to get them the ball within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage and letting them work. It’s how they both ended up north of 800 yards receiving on the season.
The other name I will throw out there is RB Le’Veon Moss. He suffered an ankle injury against Florida in October and despite hopes he would have returned by the end of the regular season, he hasn’t seen the field since. If Moss is healthy and in the backfield, he is a game-changer. He simply brings a different level of physicality than every other back on the roster. If he suits up on Saturday, it’s gonna be a huge boost to Aggie fans’ confidence.
Question 10. What’s the superpower of this team?
Behrens: The passing game is absolutely A&M’s superpower, which is still a slightly odd thing to say. But it’s been electric for the vast majority of this season. I do know Miami fancies themselves a good defense – maybe a great one. So I’m intrigued to see how that matchup plays out.
Question 11. What’s the kryptonite? If you were Miami (or any opponent) how would you attack A&M?
Behrens: I’m not sure if this is the answer you’re looking for, but A&M’s kryptonite is special teams. Field goal kicking has been an abject disaster in recent weeks, and A&M has also had multiple punts blocked on the season. In a game like this one where the margins will likely be small, it’s scary to think that it could come down to something like that, but it just might.
Question 12. What’s the script for an A&M win?
Behrens: Honestly, it’s as simple as the best version of A&M showing up. On both sides, of the ball, they have the capability to beat just about anybody. But getting that from both sides of the ball, for four quarters, has been a rarity. Now they’ve won plenty of games even with those lapses, but this is the Playoff, and if A&M wants to do something meaningful, it’s time to play their best ball.
Question 13. Call your shot: how does this game play out and what’s the score between Miami and Texas A&M?
Behrens: Between Malachi Toney and Rueben Bain, the Canes absolutely have players on both sides that terrify you. But so does A&M, and I trust the Aggies to have more players capable of making plays than Miami. Add in the home field advantage, and I think it’s hard to not favor the Aggies (in my obviously unbiased opinion).
I’ll predict a script we’ve seen for A&M we’ve seen many times this year: It’s a tight game early, maybe even with Miami holding a halftime lead. But I think A&M can pull away in the second half and make the big plays needed for a win. And if I’m being greedy, I’ll ask for a couple Carson Beck INTs late to seal the deal
Texas A&M 30, Miami 20
Thanks to Robert for joining us for the Q&A this week. You can check out his work, and the work of other talented writers covering Texas A&M athletics, over at Good Bull Hunting.
