The Miami football team will seek to end a five-game losing streak versus non-conference ranked opponents on Saturday when they host Texas A&M. The Aggies are ranked 23rd in the Associated Press media top 25 and 25th in the USA Today Coaches poll entering the game on Saturday.
The last win for the Miami football team over a ranked opponent was its memorable 41-8 victory over then-number three Notre Dame in 2017. That win over Notre Dame was the ninth straight victory for Miami to begin the 2017 season and its 14th in a row overall. Miami had a two-game win streak versus ranked opponents then.
Miami defeated number 14 West Virginia 31-14 in the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl in its last game versus a non-conference ranked opponent prior to the 2017 win over Notre Dame. The losing streak versus non-conference ranked opponents began with a 34-24 loss in the 2017 Orange Bowl to number six Wisconsin.
The losing streak to non-conference ranked opponents continued in the 2018 season opener with a 33-17 loss to number 25 LSU. Miami entered the 2018 season ranked eighth in the Associated Press poll. The loss to LSU was the fourth in a row for Miami that included losses to Pittsburgh, Clemson and Wisconsin to end the 2017 season.
Texas A&M vs. Miami this weekend is a hell of an anxiety bowl. Someone is gonna leave with some BAD feelings.
— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) September 7, 2023
Texas A&M has had its own recent problems. Like Miami, Texas A&M finished 5-7 in 2022. Oddly, three of the five wins for Texas A&M in 2022 were versus ranked teams. Texas A&M beat number 13 Miami and 10th-ranked Arkansas before losing their next six games after starting the 2022 season 3-1.
Texas A&M ended its 2022 season with wins versus Massachusetts and number six LSU who won the SEC West. Texas A&M lost at number one Alabama and versus number 15 Mississippi. The Aggies were 2-5 in one-score games in 2022. Miami was 2-2 in one-score games during the 2022 season.
In what projects as another close game, beating a ranked non-conference team should help build confidence for the Miami football program. Miami lost both of its games versus ranked teams in 2022. Clemson defeated Miami 40-10 in the other game against a ranked team for the Hurricanes in 2022.