The Miami Hurricanes football program will play Texas A&M in a prime-time game tonight. On ESPN GameDay, guest analyst Pat McAfee said he was looking for “the Hurricane Swagger.” He said that if the Hurricanes won tonight’s game, they would get the swagger and “the Hurricanes would be back.” The Hurricanes program in the last fifteen years has carried around that dreaded phrase. It has been a “high bar” set by past teams, past eras and circumstances. Tonight’s game will be a test because Texas A&M’s football program has had its pride wounded. The Hurricanes cannot underestimate Texas A&M and believe they could just “show up” and beat them.
What would Miami underestimate?
Texas A&M beat Sam Houston State in their opening weekend but only rushed for 3.4 yards per carry. Texas A&M was shocked last week against Appalachian State, 17-14. Their “Midnight Yell” pep rally was an embarassment as it motivated Appalachian State and insulted them. Texas A&M returns three out of five starters on the offensive line and have a running back, Devon Achane that ran for 910 yards last season. Although Texas A&M hasn’t had good teams to beat top tier teams in the last few season’s, Kyle Field houses 100,000 fans and Miami is not a top-tier team. Coach Jimbo Fisher has to have been riding his players all week in preparation for tonight’s game. The Aggies defense gave up a lot of yards to App State and will be looking to show they can beat top teams.
Miami has a mixed record playing big games
The Hurricanes football program has been trying to live up to the accomplishments of past teams. The previous Championship teams would face big name opponents and beat them. They would give fans outside of South Florida a reason to notice the school. Lately, the program has suffered against big name opponents:
- Last season’s game versus Alabama was a disaster.
- Then the team played Michigan State and was dominated.
- They played Louisville and beat them in 2020 and won but were outclassed by Clemson.
- They did beat Florida in 2019.
- Then, they were run out of the stadium by Joe Burrow and LSU in 2018.
- They took revenge on Notre Dame in Hard Rock in 2017 when both teams were ranked in the Top 10.
- They were upset by Florida State in 2016 when they were ranked #10.
Game preview and prediction
Texas A&M benched their quarterback Haynes King earlier this week. The team announced that Max Johnson will be their starter (he is the nephew of Brad Johnson, former NFL quarterback). Last season at LSU, he threw for 27 TD’s and 9 INT’s. This guy will challenge Miami through the air and it may give Devon Achane the ability to run. Tyler Van Dyke is a very good quarterback. Zion Nelson is back at left tackle for the Hurricanes so the offense should be able to move the ball. Texas A&M will be highly motivated to play well and the Hurricanes psyche will be tested. Texas A&M will get the victory against the Hurricanes but the Hurricanes will make the game competitive.
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