The second game of the College Football Playoff features the Miami Hurricanes and Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, Texas. Along with Alabama vs. Oklahoma, this is one of the marquee first-round matchups. Both Miami and A&M went into the season with national title aspirations and nothing has changed despite some minor hiccups along the way. These teams are ranked inside the top 10, with the ‘Canes coming in at 10-2 and the Aggies boasting an 11-1 record.
Let’s dive into my Miami vs. Texas A&M predictions.
Miami Hurricanes vs. Texas A&M Aggies odds
Money line: Miami +130 / Texas A&M -155
Spread: Miami +3.5 (-118) / Texas A&M -3.5 (-102)
Total: Over 48.5 (-110) / Under 48.5 (-110)
Miami Hurricanes vs. Texas A&M Aggies best bet #1: Under 48.5 (-110)
This has the makings of a defensive-minded contest. Each team is holding opponents to fewer than 22 points per game while ranking top 20 nationally in total defense. Both the Hurricanes and the Aggies are top 12 in third-down defense. Another important statistic to handicap is pace of play. Miami is No. 129 in the nation in that department; Texas A&M is No. 110. Neither side really likes to push the ball downfield with much urgency. If these teams do go on scoring drives, those treks will in all likelihood be methodical — using up plenty of clock.
Taking care of the ball will be critical in a meeting between two defenses that rank top 10 in havoc generated outside of garbage time and top 25 in sacks and tackles for loss. That could be especially problematic for the Aggies. QB Marcel Reed is overly prone to interceptions and he has made 11 turnover-worthy plays since Week 9. Texas A&M is outside the top 100 in turnover rate and has averaged 2.3 giveaways per game over its last three outings. Miami quarterback Carson Beck can be an interception machine at times, too.
Miami Hurricanes vs. Texas A&M Aggies best bet #2: Girard Pringle Jr. Over 38.5 rushing yards (-120)
Since fellow RB Mark Fletcher Jr. missed two weeks in November with an injury, Pringle has been the more productive member of the Hurricanes’ backfield. In the last two regular-season games against Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh, Pringle carried 24 times for 131 yards (he also had two receptions for 21 yards and a TD). Fletcher had just 16 attempts for 49 yards during that same span.
The coaching staff has complete faith in him now, so Pringle should once again get plenty of touches on Saturday. That will give him every chance of find success against an unspectacular Aggies run defense. Texas A&M is absolutely dominant against the pass, but they are allowing 127.1 rushing yards per game on 4.0 yards per carry.
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