The Aggies can't afford another letdown. Here's what Texas A&M must do to take down Miami and win its first-ever College Football Playoff game.
The Texas A&M Aggies are about to face their biggest test of the season with a College Football Playoff matchup against Miami that feels like the best game of the opening round.
Both teams enter with at least 10 wins, top-10 rankings, and something to prove after failing to make their conference championship games.
For A&M, this is a shot at redemption.
Their season ended on a sour note with a blowout loss to Texas, but the Playoff offers a fresh start ... and a massive opportunity.
According to Kendrick Johnson of Saturday Down South, there are three keys A&M must execute to beat Miami and make program history.
First, Marcel Reed has to be a true dual-threat quarterback. For most of the season, Reed was told to attack primarily through the air. But the Aggies are at their most dangerous when he's attacking both ways.
In wins over Utah State, Arkansas, LSU, and Missouri, Reed threw multiple touchdowns and shredded defenses with his legs as A&M averaged 44 points in those games.
He's already announced his return for 2026, but a breakout CFP performance would elevate his stock nationally.
Second, the Aggies' defensive line has to win in the trenches. Led by SEC Defensive Player of the Year Cashius Howell, A&M leads the nation in sacks (41, tied with Oklahoma). But Miami quarterback Carson Beck has only been sacked nine times all season, and his All-ACC right tackle Francis Mauigoa is projected as a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Howell must be disruptive early, and his matchup with Mauigoa may decide the game’s outcome.
Lastly, A&M's offense must hit explosive plays. The Aggies had just two explosive plays in the Texas loss and that's a major red flag.
Getting the ball to KC Concepcion and Mario Craver in space will be crucial. Concepcion, who scored 12 touchdowns this season via rush, reception, and return, is the key to unlocking the offense's big-play ability. The expected return of Le'Veon Moss could also be a major boost to the running game.
Miami won't go down easily. But if A&M's stars show up and the defense keeps hitting, the Aggies could be on their way to their first-ever Playoff win ... and a ticket to the Cotton Bowl.