The Texas A&M Aggies are gearing up to welcome perhaps the most important game to come to Kyle Field in decades, as they host the Miami Hurricanes for the first round of the College Football Playoff.

These two teams have played before, and the Aggies pulled off a 17-9 victory the last time they played the Hurricanes at home. A&M is confident they can pull it off yet again this year. With two evenly-matched teams, our experts expect this to be one of the best playoff games in recent memory, and it looks like it could be the best game of the first round of this year’s College Football Playoff.

Who did our analysts pick to win this highly-intriguing clash of two excellent programs?

Miami vs. Texas A&M final score predictions

Texas A&M 30, Miami 24

Miami vs. Texas A&M has to be the most intriguing game of the first round. Miami inched its way into the playoff late in the season after suffering a couple of losses, while Texas A&M’s only loss came late in the year against the Texas Longhorns. These are two elite rosters going head-to-head, and as cliché as it may sound, the game could come down to the turnover battle. Carson Beck has played in some big games during his career, and both he and Marcel Reed have dealt with turnover issues at times. Staff changes with the Aggies are also something to watch closely in the CFP. In the end, I think Texas A&M barely outlasts Miami in this one and moves on to play Ohio State.

– Brandon Little, A to Z Sports Ohio State Buckeyes

Miami 32, Texas A&M 28

The Miami Hurricanes are peaking at the right time, rolling through their last four games to secure the final at large spot in the College Football Playoff. Their reward? A tough matchup on the road against the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies are favorited by around 3 points, and I think the projection of a close game is a fair one, as Miami hasn’t lost a game by more than one score since a 20-6 loss to NC State back on November 4, 2023. Both of these teams are strong on both lines of scrimmage, with All-Americans and future high draft picks baked into both. I think this game comes down to which team handles the opposing pressure better. Miami has kept Carson Beck clean all year, and I think they’ll find a way to do that again on Saturday afternoon, which will give the Hurricanes time to hit some big plays on a defense that’s been a bit susceptible to the big play. A&M will get theirs, too, but the Hurricanes come up with a late drive to come up with a program-altering win.

– Craig Smith, A to Z Sports Tennessee Volunteers

Miami 27, Texas A&M 20

I know the Hurricanes have a couple of bad losses on their resume, but if there is one team in the College Football Playoff capable of going on a run, it might be Miami. They check all the boxes that are the major determinants for football. They have tremendous players along the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, they have a QB with tons of big game experience, and a veteran head coach. They are more than capable of generating explosive plays with weapons like Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels as well.

Now, I don’t expect the Aggies to go out without a fight. However, you could argue that Texas, late in the season, was the best team they faced all year, and they lost to the Longhorns. It will be on QB Marcel Reed and WR KC Concepcion to attack the Canes’ secondary and make the requisite stops on defense for A&M to get the win at home, in my opinion. I believe Miami can manage the hostile environment and come out on top.

–Rob Gregson, A to Z Sports Alabama Crimson Tide

Texas A&M 28, Miami 24

This is, without a doubt, the most intriguing game of the first round of the College Football Playoff. You have two strong offenses against two strong defenses, with both sides entering the game chippy and feeling disrespected nationally and by the playoff committee. Both quarterbacks are playing at a high level, and both defensive lines boast plenty of talent they can harass said quarterbacks with. It won’t be an easy matchup for either side.

Which is why I have to lean to the Aggies. In a close, must-win game, I have a hard time trusting Mario Cristobal to make the decisions necessary to put away and secure a win, but I do trust Mike Elko and the culture he has built at Texas A&M. The Aggies could potentially have Le’Veon Moss returning, but even without him, I think they can lean on their run game on a fairly leaky Hurricanes’ run defense and create enough explosive plays built off of that they get it done in a close, physical slugfest.

–AJ Schulte, A to Z Sports Texas A&M Aggies

Texas A&M Aggies News

Texas A&M Aggies find the absolute best thing possible to lead their offense for next season and beyond

The Texas A&M Aggies have solved their offensive coordinator problem, promoting wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins

AJ Schulte