Where Texas A&M-Miami CFP first-round game will be decided

College Football Playoff No. 7 Texas A&M (11-1, 7-1 in SEC) hosts the biggest game ever at College Station this Saturday, Dec. 20 (12 p.m. ET, ABC) when No. 10 Miami (10-2, 6-2 in ACC) comes to town for a first-round playoff game.

Amid the pomp and circumstance of the hyped showdown, the game will likely be decided based on one simple fact: Whichever strong front controls the line of scrimmage should make its way to the quarterfinals, where it would play No. 2 Ohio State (12-1, 9-0 in Big Ten) in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31.

Line of scrimmage biggest key in Texas A&M-Miami CFP first-round game

Texas A&M and Miami both excel at the line of scrimmage, making the interior matchup the most exciting in the first of three Saturday first-round CFP games.

The Aggies are tied with No. 8 Oklahoma (10-2, 6-2 in SEC) for the most sacks in FBS (41). They're led by fifth-year senior edge-rusher Cashius Howell, who has an SEC-high 11.5 sacks. His 20.9 percent pass-rush win rate ranks 11th in FBS among edge-rushers with at least 209 pass-rush snaps. (h/t Pro Football Focus)

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have allowed the seventh-fewest sacks in the country (11). Per PFF data, quarterback Carson Beck has only been pressured on 14.7 percent of his dropbacks this season. That's by far the lowest rate among 168 FBS quarterbacks pressured on at least 75 dropbacks, with No. 6 Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1 in SEC) quarterback Trinidad Chambliss ranking second (20.5 percent). 

Right tackle Francis Mauigoa, a potential 2026 NFL Draft first-round pick, is the best player on the unit. The 2025 All-ACC team member has allowed two sacks and nine total pressures in 394 pass-rush opportunities, according to PFF.

Defensively, Miami is tied with 11-seed Tulane (11-2, 7-1 in American) and SMU (8-4, 6-2 in ACC) for the 18th-most sacks in the country (34). Defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. ranks sixth in total pressures (58), per PFF. Interior linemen Justin Scott (310 pounds) and Ahmad Moten Sr. (324 pounds) gives the Canes heft in the middle, allowing them to collapse the pocket and take away running lanes for Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed.

The Aggies quarterback will still be hard to bring down. PFF data shows he has a minuscule 8.2 pressure-to-sack rate when pressured, and his 25 scrambles under duress are tied for the 13th-most in the country.

He'll need to use his legs with Texas A&M's offensive line facing arguably its toughest test this season. Right tackle Dametrious Crownover is a potential liability. He's been flagged 11 times, and his 21 total pressures allowed are the second-most among CFP linemen.

Miami may have the slightly stronger offensive line, but Reed's ability to evade pressure could mitigate some of that damage. Beck, meanwhile, rarely has to deal with oncoming defenders. Both defensive lines will be tested on Saturday. Whichever one handles its assignment best will give its team an inside track to victory.