Sizing up Miami vs. Texas A&M as Ohio State football awaits the winner
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The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up to face either the Miami Hurricanes or the Texas A&M Aggies in just under two weeks in a College Football PlayoffCotton Bowl quarterfinal. Ohio State would be favored against either opponent, but both bring distinct challenges and would pose legitimate tests on a big stage.
As it stands, Texas A&M is a 3.5-point favorite over Miami, with that matchup set to be played on the Aggies’ home field. That raises an obvious question: who would the Buckeyes rather see across the sideline? And who exactly are the 2025 Hurricanes and Aggies?
To answer that, let’s take a closer look at how each team’s season has unfolded so far, breaking down their strengths, weaknesses, and what Ohio State can realistically expect from either opponent on New Year’s night in Arlington at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Miami Hurricanes
Miami is a fascinating case study, and I think they are quietly one of the stronger CFP teams in the 2025 bracket. The Hurricanes opened the season with a statement win over Notre Dame, a result that ultimately played a major role in punching their ticket to the Playoff. They followed that up with five straight victories before stumbling against a feisty Louisville team, 24–21, in a game where quarterback Carson Beck threw four interceptions.
Miami bounced back with a blowout win over Stanford, only to suffer another setback the following week in an overtime loss to SMU, again plagued by turnovers as Beck tossed two interceptions. From that point on, however, the Hurricanes flipped the switch. They won every remaining game by 17 points or more, and Beck threw just one interception over the final four contests.
Miami's Offense
Offensively, Miami ranks No. 27 nationally in total offense and features playmakers across the board. Running back Mark Fletcher is a reliable and physical runner who finished with 10 rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.9 yards per carry. The wide receiver room is deep and diverse, highlighted by BYU transfer Keelan Marion, LSU transfer CJ Daniels, and freshman phenom Malachi Toney. Toney has been electric, leading the team in receptions with 84, yards with 970, and tying for the team lead in receiving touchdowns with seven. The real engine of this offense is the offensive line. As expected under head coach Mario Cristobal, the foundation of this unit is built up front. Beck has been sacked just nine times all season, and both the run and pass games have consistently operated in clean pockets and wide-open lanes.
The Miami Defense
Defensively, Miami has been just as impressive. The Hurricanes rank No. 11 nationally, allowing only 19 touchdowns and an average of 277.8 yards per game. Miami is built to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and the centerpiece is defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr., a projected top-10 pick in April’s NFL Draft and one of the most dominant pass rushers in the country. Bain combines elite power, quick hands, and a deep pass-rush arsenal to overwhelm offensive linemen in both the run and pass game.
Miami also invested heavily in its secondary this past offseason, and the payoff has been clear. The Hurricanes boast two cornerbacks with four interceptions apiece, while the linebackers do a solid job of keeping plays in front of them and limiting explosive gains. The defensive line is special, and the back end is more than capable of capitalizing on the pressure it creates.
If Beck stays clean and makes sound decisions in the pocket, especially by limiting turnovers, Miami becomes a difficult out. They control the trenches, protect their quarterback, and feature difference-makers on both sides of the ball.
The Texas A&M Aggies
Not long ago, Texas A&M was viewed as part of the sport’s top tier, grouped with teams like Ohio State and Indiana, and even discussed by some fans and analysts as the best team in the country. Now, the Aggies enter the postseason as the No. 7 seed, carrying more questions after closing the regular season with a loss to Texas.
Like Miami, A&M owns a narrow shootout win over Notre Dame, beating the Irish by one point in Week 3. The rest of the season, however, was filled with blowouts and close calls. The Aggies survived Auburn at home by six points, outlasted Arkansas 45–42, and escaped South Carolina 31–30 before their undefeated run ended with a 10-point loss to the Longhorns in Week 12. Head coach Mike Elko deserves credit for navigating those tight spots, but Texas A&M also exposed some real vulnerabilities along the way, particularly at quarterback.
Marcel Reed is a dynamic talent, but he dealt with turnover issues similar to Miami’s Carson Beck. Reed finished the season with 10 interceptions and three fumbles, mistakes that often put the Aggies in early holes. Still, his ability to flip a game on its head is undeniable. The South Carolina matchup is the perfect example. A&M trailed 30–3 at halftime, with Reed already responsible for two interceptions and a fumble. In the second half, he caught fire, finishing with 439 yards and three touchdowns to engineer a stunning comeback victory.
Texas A&M Offense
Offensively, Texas A&M ranks 20th in total offense and features a receiver group that mirrors Miami’s in both depth and talent. NC State transfer KC Concepcion, a likely first-round pick, Mississippi State transfer Mario Craver, and freshman Ashton Bethel-Roman form the core of the passing attack. Together, they accounted for 18 of Reed’s 25 passing touchdowns. On the ground, the Aggies deploy a true three-headed monster in Rueben Owens II, Le’Veon Moss, and Reed himself. All three averaged more than five yards per carry and scored at least five rushing touchdowns. As with Miami, the offensive line is a major strength. Reed was sacked just 10 times all season, and the fact that four different runners averaged over five yards per carry on at least 41 attempts is staggering.
Texas A&M Defense
Defensively, Texas A&M ranks No. 19 nationally and features one of the most disruptive pass rushers in the country in Cashius Howell, who recorded 11.5 sacks in 2025. The Aggies totaled 41 sacks as a team and recovered six fumbles, though they managed just three interceptions. The defensive line consistently pressures quarterbacks, but the unit has shown vulnerability against explosive offenses, both on the ground and through the air. That inconsistency showed up in games where A&M surrendered 40 points to Notre Dame, 42 to Arkansas, 25 to LSU, and 30 to South Carolina. The defense is solid, but far from lockdown.
With Marcel Reed under center, Texas A&M always has a puncher’s chance. The Aggies have the firepower to go blow-for-blow with anyone in the country, and their defense has a knack for generating timely sacks in critical moments. If Reed stays protected and cuts down on mistakes, this is a dangerous team capable of catching fire at the right time.
Outlook against Ohio State
I view Miami and Texas A&M as very similar teams, and Ohio State should expect both offenses to prioritize establishing the run to set up explosive plays downfield with their dynamic wide receivers. On the defensive side, each will likely take a page from Indiana’s game plan against the Buckeyes by dialing up creative blitz packages, testing the Ohio State offensive line, and trying to make Julian Sayin uncomfortable in the pocket.
I have Miami pulling out a win in College Station, largely because I trust Carson Beck to avoid a turnover-heavy performance. Texas A&M is tied for 128th nationally in interceptions forced, one of the worst marks in the country. If Beck limits his mistakes to fewer than two turnovers, I think Miami comes out on top.
Ohio State will be patiently waiting to see who emerges from this matchup, with the Cotton Bowl looming just over a week away.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State in the CFP: Comparing Miami vs. Texas A&M as opponents
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