Miami football predictions for Texas A&M clash
Miami ended the first game of its 2023 football campaign with a 38-3 win over the Miami (OH) RedHawks last week.
Miami quarterbacks Tyler Van Dyke and Emory Williams combined for 243 passing yards during the victory at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami’s rushing attack notched a total of 250 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The Hurricanes limited the RedHawks to 51 rushing yards on 25 carries.
Miami football will kick off against Texas A&M on Saturday in Hard Rock Stadium. The Aggies earned a 52-10 victory over New Mexico in Kyle Field last Saturday. Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman threw for 236 yards and five touchdowns in the home win.
What are some bold predictions for Miami’s matchup with Texas A&M on Saturday?
3. Tyler Van Dyke will record at least 250 passing yards
Van Dyke ended the victory over the RedHawks with 201 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. He threw a touchdown on his first pass of the game, a short pass to wide receiver Colbie Young that he took 44 yards for an early score.
“Overall, I felt pretty accurate,” Van Dyke said, via The Associated Press. “The line did a good job protecting for me. I only took one hit, so happy with the performance. Happy with the win. Definitely need to clean the interception up a little bit, but gotta move on and prepare for next week.”
Van Dyke finished a 2022 loss to Texas A&M with 217 passing yards and 21 completions on 41 pass attempts. Tight end Will Mallory, now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, led the Hurricanes with 56 yards on six receptions. Five players recorded three receptions or more during the 2022 matchup with Texas A&M.
Miami football may have to look out for Texas A&M defensive back Josh DeBerry, who led the team with 10 tackles during its win over New Mexico. The Boston College transfer picked off a pass from Lobos quarterback Dylan Hopkins in the second quarter. Texas A&M’s pass defense led the nation with 156.2 passing yards allowed per game in 2022, according to ESPN.
“They have a really good pass rush,” Van Dyke said, via InsideTheU’s Christopher Stock. “They got some big dudes up there, got after me last year, and then the secondary is very impressive. Like I said, number one pass defense in the nation last year and have some good cornerback transfers. Looking forward to the challenge that they’re going to give us.”
2. Henry Parrish Jr. will rush for at least 80 yards, one touchdown
Parrish ended the win over Miami (OH) with 90 rushing yards and one touchdown on nine carries. Running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Ajay Allen added 123 yards. Allen transferred from Nebraska in May after one season with the Cornhuskers.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal commented on the debut of Fletcher and Allen on Monday.
“Yeah, they performed well,” Cristobal said, via CanesCounty Publisher Marcus Benjamin. “I thought all backs did. Especially considering the fact that Miami of Ohio does play with an extra defender in the box. They create tough angles.
“You saw the edges how tight they were. It was tough to get yards inside. Sometimes they’d make them inside, sometimes they’d bounce them outside. They played with really good discipline and really good ball security.”
Parrish ended Miami’s 2022 football loss to Texas A&M with 85 yards on 16 carries. He must play a vital role in the Hurricanes offense after the Aggies took last place in the Southeastern Conference with 208.8 rushing yards allowed per game.
1. Miami will defeat Texas A&M in a narrow victory
Along with having a solid performance from their own defensive line, Miami must push past a Texas A&M football defense that ended its win over New Mexico with 10 tackles for loss and two sacks.
“What stands out? A lot,” Cristobal said when asked what stood out about Texas A&M’s defensive line, via InsideTheU Publisher David Lake. “Besides being disruptive, they’re disruptive because they’re explosive players are really thick and powerful.
“But they are also athletic where they can counter, they can get themselves out of tough positions. They split double-teams even when your double teams are really from a technique and a fundamental standpoint, they’ve done really well.”
If it can hold strong against Texas A&M’s defensive line and tap into the potential of its offense, Miami may have the opportunity to take a key victory in Hard Rock Stadium before they move on to Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 14.
