Texas A&M will be second SEC team to face Miami at Hard Rock Stadium when they meet Saturday
By The Associated Press
No. 23 Texas A&M (1-0) at Miami (1-0), Saturday, 11 a.m. ET (ABC)
Line: Texas A&M by 4 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Tied 2-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
The Hurricanes are trying to capitalize on a dominant season-opening performance against Miami (Ohio) and avenge last season’s 17-9 loss to the Aggies. Texas A&M was 1-1 this time last season in a disappointing 5-7 campaign. Both teams look vastly different from a year ago with new offensive coordinators for both sides and a new Aggies starting quarterback.
KEY MATCHUP
Miami’s rushing attack vs. Texas A&M’s from seven. Running back Henry Parrish Jr. was Miami’s top performer when the teams met last year, with 16 carries for 85 yards. After rushing for 250 yards as a team last week, Parrish and Miami’s running backs will have a tough test when they go against one of the biggest and most talented defensive fronts in the nation. The Aggies recorded two sacks and five passes defensed in the opener.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas A&M: Quarterback Conner Weigman became the first Aggies player in school history to throw for five touchdowns in the season opener. He was 18 of 23 with 236 yards passing and averaged over 10 yards per play.
Miami: WR Colbie Young is one of Miami’s top targets, and he started the season with 79 yards receiving on four catches. He took a screen pass from quarterback Tyler Van Dyke 44 yards into the end zone for his first touchdown of the season.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Aggies last 2-0 start was in 2021 when they finished the season 8-4. … Both teams finished 2022 with a 5-7 record. … The Aggies had just 264 total yards when they beat Miami last year. … Texas A&M is playing at Miami for the first time since 2007 when the Hurricanes won 34-17 at the Orange Bowl. … The Aggies are just the second SEC team to ever play the Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium and the first since Florida in 2013. … Texas A&M won the front end of the home-and-home in 2022 — a 17-9 win in College Station in front of 107,245. … The Hurricanes started last season 2-0 but lost their next three games. … Mario Cristobal in his second year as Miami’s coach brought in Houston’s Shannon Dawson as the team’s new offensive coordinator and Lance Guidry from Marshall as the team’s new defensive coordinator. … There are new faces in seven of Miami’s 10 assistant coach roles.
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll
