VatoLocoAggie said:

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Homegame that's a tuneup game to keep the war machine well oiled.

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Calling a game vs Miami a tuneup game ???

11AM stinks but you have a home game at Kyle Field and a 2nd matchup in DFW.

Couldnt have asked for better based on our seeding

Brutal, was hoping for Orange Bowl

Ohio state playing in the Cotton Bowl 3 straight years is pretty crazy

AggieUSMC said:

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Duckhook said:

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11:00 a.m. Game and Cotton Bowl.

We're not very good at early games.

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It's like they're trying to **** us over

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How is playing basically a home game freaking us over? People complain about everything

Ags06Win said:

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Brutal, was hoping for Orange Bowl

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We get the Orange Bowl on January 19, 2026.

AggieUSMC said:

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Duckhook said:

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11:00 a.m. Game and Cotton Bowl.

We're not very good at early games.

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It's like they're trying to **** us over

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Meh, we got a home game with a chance to play here in Texas in the 2nd round. "They put our game at 11 am" is not an excuse. The Ags either shows up ready to play or they don't.

Let's win our preseason game against Miami, and then get revenge for the '87 Cotton Bowl.

Prediction: Miami 23, Texas A&M 20 a defensive slugfest where Miami's balance and pass rush tilt the outcome.

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Team Context

Miami (102): Elite defense, allowing just 13.8 points per game (6th nationally). Offense averages 425.9 yards/game, led by QB Carson Beck and RB Mark Fletcher ESPN +1.
Texas A&M (111): Potent offense, scoring 36.3 points/game with 454.4 yards/game. QB Marcel Reed is dynamic but faces Miami's top-10 defense StatMuse +2.


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Predicted Offensive Stats

Miami Hurricanes

QB Carson Beck: 23/32, 265 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, QB rating ~158.
WR Malachi Toney: 7 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD.
WR Keelan Marion: 5 catches, 65 yards.
RB Mark Fletcher Jr.: 20 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD.
RB Girard Pringle Jr.: 8 carries, 45 yards, plus 2 receptions for 20 yards.


Texas A&M Aggies

QB Marcel Reed: 19/33, 225 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, QB rating ~125.
WR KC Concepcion: 6 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD.
WR Mario Craver: 5 catches, 70 yards.
RB Rueben Owens II: 18 carries, 78 yards.
RB Le'Veon Moss: 10 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD.


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Defensive & Special Teams Predictions

Miami Defense

Rueben Bain & Akheem Mesidor (Edge rushers): Combine for 3 sacks.
Secondary forces 2 interceptions (likely Dalton Brooks targeted).
Total: 5 sacks, 2 INT, 1 forced fumble.


Texas A&M Defense

Cashius Howell (SEC sack leader): 1.5 sacks.
Aggies defense holds Miami to under 150 rushing yards.
Total: 3 sacks, 1 INT.


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Game Flow

First Half: Miami's defense sets the tone, forcing Reed into mistakes. Hurricanes lead 137 at halftime.
Second Half: A&M rallies with a balanced run game, but Miami's pass rush closes the door late.
Key Factor: Miami exploits A&M's weaker run defense with Fletcher and Pringle, while Beck's efficiency keeps drives alive.


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Final Score

Miami Hurricanes 23
Texas A&M Aggies 20


Miami advances to face Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl Sports Il... +2.

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This matchup is a classic clash: Miami's defense vs. A&M's explosive offense. Miami's ability to force turnovers and control tempo on the ground gives them the edge, despite A&M's home-field advantage.

I'll wait for spreadsheet to post.

* Matchup: #10 Miami Hurricanes (Carson Beck) at #7 Texas A&M Aggies (Marcel Reed)
* Key Defensive Matchup: A&M's rebuilt pass rush (led by Cashius Howell) vs. Miami's quick-game protection.
* Context: A&M relies on "Speed Rush" packages rather than power to disrupt the quarterback.
Detailed Statistical Projection
Texas A&M Defense (The "Wrecking Crew" 2.0)
With Scourton gone, the pass rush is anchored by Cashius Howell, who has emerged as the SEC sack leader in 2025. The interior is held down by DJ Hicks and Albert Regis.
* Sacks: 4 Total
* Cashius Howell (Edge): 2.0 sacks (Uses pure speed to beat Miami's tackles).
* DJ Hicks (DT): 1.0 sack (Collapses the pocket internally).
* Taurean York (LB): 1.0 sack on a delayed blitz.
* Turnovers: 2 (1 INT by Will Lee III, 1 Fumble Recovery).
* Defensive Strategy: A&M uses a "simulated pressure" scheme to confuse Carson Beck, dropping linemen into coverage and blitzing corners from the slot.
Miami Hurricanes (Offense)
Carson Beck has to get the ball out under 2.5 seconds to avoid Howell. He targets the middle of the field where A&M's linebackers are susceptible in coverage.
* Passing (Carson Beck):
* Completions/Attempts: 27/45 (60%)
* Yards: 315
* TD: 2
* INT: 1 (Undercut by Will Lee III).
* Sacks Taken: 4 (Beck holds the ball too long trying to find deep routes).
Texas A&M Offense (The "New Speed")
* Passing (Marcel Reed):
* Completions/Attempts: 18/28 (64%)
* Yards: 230
* TD: 3 (2 Passing, 1 Rushing).
* INT: 0.
* Receiving:
* KC Concepcion: 7 catches, 80 yards, 1 TD (Slant route).
* Mario Craver: 3 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD (Deep post).
* Terry Bussey: 4 catches, 40 yards (Screen game).
Revised Game Flow
* 1st Quarter: Cashius Howell gets a strip-sack on Miami's second drive, setting up a short field. Marcel Reed runs it in from 10 yards out. 7-0 A&M.
* 2nd Quarter: Miami adjusts with quick screens to Restrepo. Beck finds him for a TD. A&M answers with a 50-yard bomb to Mario Craver. 14-10 A&M.
* 3rd Quarter: Defensive stalemate. DJ Hicks blows up a 4th-and-1 run by Miami. A&M settles for a FG. 17-10 A&M.
* 4th Quarter: Miami scores early to tie it 17-17. On the ensuing drive, KC Concepcion takes a short pass 40 yards into Miami territory. Marcel Reed finishes the drive with a fade to (TE) or a WR. 24-17 A&M.
* Late Game: Miami drives to the 30, but Will Lee III intercepts a tipped pass to seal the game.
Final Score Prediction
Texas A&M 24, Miami 17
Defensive MVP: Cashius Howell (2 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble).

I'm an amateur in comparison but here's a spreadsheet and analysis….


2025 Playoff Matchup: Statistical Breakdown & Simulation
Below is a "spreadsheet" style comparison of the #10 Miami Hurricanes and #7 Texas A&M Aggies based on the 2025 regular season data (simulated from your scenario).
I. Team Statistical Comparison (Regular Season)
| Category | Miami Hurricanes (10-2) | Texas A&M Aggies (11-1) | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoring Offense | 39.4 PPG (4th Nationally) | 34.2 PPG (18th Nationally) | Miami |
| Scoring Defense | 22.1 PPG (38th Nationally) | 14.8 PPG (6th Nationally) | Texas A&M |
| Total Offense | 485.5 YPG | 410.3 YPG | Miami |
| Total Defense | 355.0 YPG | 295.4 YPG | Texas A&M |
| Passing Yards | 332.0 YPG (Air Raid) | 215.6 YPG | Miami |
| Rushing Yards | 153.5 YPG | 194.7 YPG | Texas A&M |
| 3rd Down Offense | 48.5% | 51.2% (Reed Scrambles) | Texas A&M |
| 3rd Down Defense | 36.0% | 24.5% (#1 Nationally) | Texas A&M |
| Red Zone TD % | 64% | 72% | Texas A&M |
| Sacks Allowed | 28 (2.3 per game) | 14 (1.1 per game) | Texas A&M |
| Sacks Created | 31 | 48 (SEC Leaders) | Texas A&M |
| Turnover Margin | -2 | +9 | Texas A&M |
II. Key Player Stat Matchups
Quarterback Comparison
| Stat | Carson Beck (MIA) | Marcel Reed (TAMU) |
| :--- | :---: | :---: |
| Comp % | 68.5% | 62.1% |
| Passing Yards | 3,850 | 2,587 |
| TD / INT | 32 TD / 11 INT | 24 TD / 5 INT |
| Rushing Yards | -45 (Sack adj.) | 685 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 | 9 |
| Style | Pocket Precision | Dual-Threat Creator |
Top Playmakers
| Position | Miami Leader | Texas A&M Leader |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Leading Rusher | Damien Martinez
920 yds, 5.2 avg, 10 TD | Le'Veon Moss
1,050 yds, 6.1 avg, 12 TD |
| Leading WR | Xavier Restrepo
88 catches, 1,150 yds, 9 TD | KC Concepcion
75 catches, 920 yds, 8 TD |
| Deep Threat | Sam Brown
16.5 yds/catch | Mario Craver
21.8 yds/catch (Elite Speed) |
| Sack Leader | Rueben Bain Jr.
8.5 Sacks | Cashius Howell
13.5 Sacks (SEC Leader) |
III. Positional Advantage Analysis
* Quarterback: Miami (Slight). Carson Beck is the more polished passer and fits the "Playoff QB" mold better, but Marcel Reed's lack of turnovers gives A&M a safer floor.
* Offensive Line: Texas A&M. The Aggies have allowed significantly fewer sacks. Miami's line is good but struggles against elite speed rushers (see: 28 sacks allowed).
* Skill Players: Push. Miami has better volume receivers (Restrepo/Brown), but A&M has the most explosive players on the field (Craver/Concepcion/Reed).
* Defensive Front: Texas A&M. This is the deciding factor. A&M's defensive line (Howell, Hicks, Regis) dominates the line of scrimmage, whereas Miami relies heavily on Bain Jr.
* Secondary: Texas A&M. Miami's secondary allows too many chunk plays. A&M's secondary benefits from the pass rush but is fundamentally sounder.
* Special Teams: Texas A&M. The "12th Man" kickoff coverage and Kyle Field noise factor into the special teams grade.
Final Prediction Breakdown
The Narrative:
The stats suggest a classic "Good Offense vs. Elite Defense" matchup. Miami moves the ball significantly better (especially through the air), but Texas A&M is elite at two things that win playoff games: Getting Sacks and Stopping 3rd Downs.
Miami will have more yards, but A&M will have more points because they will convert red zone trips into Touchdowns (thanks to Reed's legs) while Miami stalls out for Field Goals due to sacks.
Predicted Final Stat Lines:
* Miami Total Offense: 415 Yards
* (340 Passing, 75 Rushing)
* Note: High yardage, but empty calories between the 20s.
* Texas A&M Total Offense: 365 Yards
* (185 Passing, 180 Rushing)
* Note: Efficient, ball-control offense.
Final Score Prediction:
Texas A&M 27, Miami 20

AggieMD95 said:

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Surprised they didn't reward tech w the cotton

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They screwed tech and Ohio