No. 10 Miami (10-2) at No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1), Saturday, Noon, ABC
Latest line: Texas A&M is favored by 3 points
Adam Lichtenstein, Miami Hurricanes Writer: Miami 27, Texas A&M 24
The Hurricanes do have one disadvantage, traveling to College Station, Texas, to face the Aggies in front of what will surely be a raucous crowd. But Miami matches up well in some regards with Texas A&M. The Aggies are tied for the most sacks in the nation, but the Hurricanes have arguably the best pass-blocking line in the country. Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed leads a strong offense, but Miami’s defense has been limiting opponents to fewer than two touchdowns per game. The Aggies have been good at limiting opposing passing attacks, but Carson Beck and UM are rated better than any passing offense Texas A&M has faced this year. Neither team has reached the playoffs before, so the game could come down to whichever side can avoid big-stage jitters.
Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel Sports Columnist: Miami 34, Texas A&M 27
The Hurricanes managed to get into the playoffs, but they still have something to prove and Texas A&M is a good place to start. On the road. Before a tough crowd. Against a good team. But Texas A&M faltered of late. It lost its finale against Texas and didn’t look like the dominant the team of a month ago. It’s the opposite for Miami, which found its stride this past month on offense and defense. The two mid-season losses to Louisville and SMU became lessons as the playoff committee’s vote turned out, rather than games that sunk their season. College Station isn’t an easy place to win. The Hurricanes should be up for it. Texas A&M dual-threat quarterback Marcel Reed could create havoc — capable of making big plays through the air or on the ground — but Miami will live up to the challenge.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor: Texas A&M 27, Miami 23
The Hurricanes and Carson Beck will certainly be tested by Texas A&M’s vaunted pass rush, which was tied for the most sacks (41) in the nation. The Aggies also were third in the nation with 104 tackles for loss and boast the top third-down defense in the country. You can expect Mike Elko’s squad to blitz Beck often as he has buckled under pressure in the past. Led by star defensive end Cashius Howell, Texas A&M will aggressively try to force Beck into ill-advised passes that plagued him earlier in the season (like when he threw four interceptions in a loss to Louisville). Miami’s talented offensive line should be up for the challenge, but will be hard-pressed to slow down the Aggies. UM will also have to deal with Texas A&M’s notorious “12th Man” that consists of 110,000 raucous Aggies fans — one of the most hostile environments in the nation.
