PFF Prediction Favors Aggies Over Hurricanes

The Texas A&M Aggies continue their season with a visit to the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday.

The Texas A&M Aggies continue their season with a visit to the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday. After a satisfying home win to open the new college football season, the Texas A&M Aggies play their first road game of the young season and the first real test.

Last year, with a much different team, A&M squeaked out a 17-9 win against the Canes at Kyle Field, but that contest should look very different this time around. For A&M it's a different game because it's on the road. Hard Rock Stadium can be a volatile environment at times, and that should be the case against any SEC foe, particularly the Aggies.

The seasons for both teams ended with disappointment last year with both finishing 5-7 and way short of any postseason hopes. But this year should be different for both teams and the national media is taking notice.

Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick cites A&M quarterback Conner Weigman and wideout Evan Stewart for his pick of the Aggies to come out on top.

"Conner Weigman proved in Week 1 why so many Texas A&M fans were excited about the future with the sophomore under center. The former five-star recruit earned a 91.9 grade against New Mexico, throwing five touchdowns in the 52-10 victory. Aiding him is a top-10 receiving corps headlined by fellow five-star sophomore Evan Stewart, who recorded 115 yards and two touchdowns against the Lobos. The Aggies also feature a top-10 offensive line in college football.

"Miami’s defense could give them issues, though. The Hurricanes boast the best safety duo in the nation between Kamren Kinchens and James Williams. Miami will also be able to create pressure with a top-10 defensive line that features interior defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III, a projected top-15 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Texas A&M wins a close one thanks to a few clutch plays from Weigman and some stops from its talented defense.

"The Pick: Texas A&M 27 Miami 24"

In the 2022 matchup, A&M saw just 264 yards of total offense, but that was before the arrival of Bobby Petrino. The Aggies are better this time around, but so are the Hurricanes. Both teams are coming off blowout wins in games they were expected to dominate. New Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson is doing for quarterback Tyler Van Dyke what Petrino is doing for Conner Weigman, by opening things up for the young quarterback.

Van Dyke threw for 201 yards on 17-of-22 passing with one touchdown, but he also threw an interception. The Aggies' defense is considerably better than the Miami of Ohio RedHawks, and A&M should rely on that group to rattle Van Dyke early.

Where the Aggies might worry is with the Canes rushing attack. They've got a deep room with a "running back by committee" mindset. Four backs carried the ball in Week 1 and three scored touchdowns. All four had runs of 15 or more yards on the night, so the A&M group up front could have their work cut out for them.

Interestingly, the Aggies are slight favorites on the road at -3.5, but watch that to move as the week goes on. Overall, both teams will be looking for this to be a statement win. For A&M, a win could show the rest of the SEC that they're real this year, and for the Hurricanes, a win could indicate to the members of the ACC that the "U" is back.