Miami, Florida – For the first time in the CFP era, the Miami Hurricanes have a chance at winning it all, starting the journey against the Texas A&M Aggies. After finishing the season 10-2, the Cardiac Canes were unable to reach the ACC Championship due to the conference’s tiebreaker procedure. Fans agonized for several days awaiting the team’s fate as Georgia and Texas Tech defeated Alabama and BYU, respectively. The Cougars’ loss in particular helped UM’s cause. Then the ACC’s nightmare scenario unfolded when Duke upset Virginia.
Faced with the prospect of no ACC representation, the CFP committee made a tough call. They ultimately kept Bama in, added two G5 schools, and most importantly, had the Canes switch places with Notre Dame, eliminating the Fighting Irish. Competing as the tenth seed, Miami begins its quest for a Natty at College Station. TAMU nearly finished the year undefeated, dropping the season finale against No. 16 Texas, missing out on the SEC title game. Led by former Heisman hopeful Marcel Reed, the seventh-seeded Aggies are a formidable team, but they are a very winnable matchup for the Hurricanes. UM won the last meeting in 2023, 48-33 at the Hard Rock, and leads the all-time series 3-2. Although the Aggies are favored to win, this is the moment both the fans and coach Mario Cristobal have been clamoring for.
TAMU
Marcel Reed
Texas A&M QB Marcel Reed to KC Concepcion: pic.twitter.com/0CfLGW25Sd
— Tony Catalina (@Tony_Catalina) December 16, 2025
Starting with the Aggies’ signal caller, Marcel Reed has thrown for almost 3,000 yards, including 25 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. In other words, Reed is a dangerous playmaker and among the best QBs in the SEC. He’s known for his athleticism, improvisation, quick release, and ability to extend plays. However, his decision-making and accuracy have led him into trouble before, as evidenced by LSU, South Carolina, and Texas. Miami could follow suit.
Rueben Owens
Top 10 Fastest College Football Players of Week 11
1️⃣ 21.5 – Rueben Owens (@ii_rueben) RB Texas A&M
NFL Draft Guide Preview⤵️https://t.co/GR0kAObOxU pic.twitter.com/LaWsRe4OZ7
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) November 10, 2025
Churning out 192.7 yards per game, Texas A&M has the second-best ground attack in the conference, and it’s largely because of Rueben Owens. Recording 618 yards on 112 carries, Owens had only five trips to the endzone but averaged 5.5 yards per play. He has quick feet, burst, and vision, making him a key to victory for the Aggies and a task for the stingy Canes defense. Without the rush, the pressure will increase on Reed to make plays, and with UM’s D-line, we could see some big turnovers.
KC Concepcion
KC Concepcion is UNGUARDABLE both before and after the catch 💨 pic.twitter.com/W3TzUnCHVI
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) November 18, 2025
The dynamic wide receiver has a lot of quickness, complemented by the ability to get his team additional yards after a catch. KC Concepcion is good at short and intermediate routes, although there has been concern about ball handling. Miami’s DBs need to contest every throw that goes his way. When your opponent is averaging 15.5 yards per catch, you have to shut it down or prepare to get burned. Concepcion totaled 886 yards and nine TDs for 2025.
Cashius Howell
Texas A&M EDGE Cashius Howell showing off his athletic range and lower body flexibility on this strip sack.
Running the arc. pic.twitter.com/itbl9RFdaO
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) November 12, 2025
If there’s a guy that scares me on TAMU’s defense, it’s Cashius Howell. This defensive end tallied 11.5 sacks this year! For comparison, Akheem Mesidor has seven. The Aggies are tied for the most sacks in both the SEC and across college football. Howell and company serve as a test against the Hurricanes’ vaunted O-line. Cashius has first-step explosiveness, which gives him an advantage as a pass rusher and a run defender. He also has versatility lining up in any alignment.
Miami Hurricanes
Carson Beck
Touchdown number 1 for Carson Beck and the Hurricanes. #GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/YYZaLBxDGX
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) September 1, 2025
This is it, Carson Beck’s moment. UM’s star QB played consistently well in the last four games of the season and looks primed to elevate his team deep into the playoffs. Sharing almost identical stats to Reed, the gunslinger totaled 3,072 passing yards. Coach Cristobal has expressed absolute confidence in his quarterback, and the program is about to find out if the praise was well placed. Beck has handled adversity well, and the team’s success will fall squarely on his shoulders.
Malachi Toney
Malachi Toney 13 REC, 126 REYDS, 30 RUYDS, 9 PYDS, 1 REC TD, 1 PASS TD vs Pitt Today.
HE DOES EVERYTHING.pic.twitter.com/hPSSQ6BM5M https://t.co/hlC0EuiB0h
— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) November 29, 2025
The kid is a true freshman, and he’s already getting postseason experience as a top wideout. Finishing the season with 84 receptions for 970 yards and seven touchdowns, Malachi Toney can really help in advancing Miami’s dream of another title. Whatever coach Cristobal is planning, you can bet Toney is a part of it. He can go deep, run the ball, and even air it out. Get ready for some fireworks.
Keionte Scott
The production Miami was getting from Keionte Scott before he got injured was impressive pic.twitter.com/YuJgWY1eNU
— art (@canefilms) December 14, 2025
The Miami Hurricanes are getting a major boost with the return of Keionte Scott. Expected to return from a significant right foot injury that at one point seemed to mark the end of the line for his year, Scott reinforces a defense that becomes a lot more dangerous with him involved. The Auburn transfer had a standout season, recording 44 tackles, 30 of those solo, complemented by three sacks, a forced fumble, an interception, and five pass deflections. Time to feast.
Girard Pringle Jr.
Girard Pringle Jr with the nice YAC pic.twitter.com/kRbJ5X8rDw
— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) November 15, 2025
With the running back corps at full strength, one might wonder who’s going to get the rock. Given Girard Pringle Jr’s performance during Mark Fletcher’s absence, I see him leading the way via the 1-2 punch on the ground game. Throw in CharMar Brown, and the Canes might wear down the Aggies defense. That’s what Miami is capable of doing and has done for 2025. We’re going to see a balanced attack that will pay dividends.
Prediction
I want the Hurricanes to advance so they can face Ohio State. What a matchup that can be. However, the team has to focus on what’s in front of them. College Station is not an easy venue, even for a noon game. Regardless, the Canes are ready to turn heads and show they belong. Final score: UM 27, TAMU 20.
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