Miami has higher Pro Football Focus grades at every position except linebacker over Texas A&M entering their first-round playoff game at Texas A&M on Saturday. The only position Texas A&M has an advantage per PFF is at linebacker.
PFF lists where each unit ranks nationally, but not what their grades are. Miami is in the top 15 at every position except linebacker. Texas A&M is seventh at defensive line and LB as their only position units with grades in the top 20 nationally.
Quarterback is the one position PFF did not list. In their video preview of Miami in the College Football Playoff, Max Chadwick mentions that Beck has the 25th-best passing grade nationally in 2025. Inconsistency has hurt Beck this season, with five games recording a PFF grade under 65.
Per David Lake of Inside the U, "Pro Football Focus has evaluated Reed's passing with a 66.9 passing grade, which ranks 81st out of the 131 quarterbacks in the country who have at least 200 drop-backs on the season." Reed is also 78th nationally with a 61.8 completion percentage.
Miami vs Texas A&M Roster Grades Comparison♨️ pic.twitter.com/wD7pXdNRZN
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 19, 2025
Running Back comparison
Miami's PFF rushing grade of 15th is in stark contrast to finishing the regular season 77th, averaging 150.0 rushing yards per game and 80th posting 4.19 yards per carry. Texas A&M is 25th, averaging 192.67 rushing YPG and 28th, posting 4.99 YPC
Pass catcher comparison
Any talk about the Miami receiving corps begins with Malachi Toney. Toney is third nationally with a 90.5 receiving grade. In addition to being a threat as a receiver, Toney has been used as a passer and runner in 2025. Texas A&M WRs Mario Craver and K.C. Concepcion have combined for over 100 receptions, 1,700 yards and 13 TDs in 2025.
Offensive line comparison
Miami is 10th with a 73.9 run blocking grade. The Hurricanes' OL is third overall. Texas A&M OL is 20th nationally with 78.1 pass blocking grade. Miami and Texas A&M have two of the best DLs nationally. Whichever OL has more success will significantly impact the outcome.
Defensive line comparison
Miami is second nationally with a 93.2 DL grade. Rueben Bain and Akheem Mesidor are two of the top five edge rushers nationally for Miami. Miami right tackle Francis Mauigoa against Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell is a key matchup to watch on Saturday.
Highest Graded Players in the Miami/Texas A&M Matchup📊 pic.twitter.com/Pmpxyrc55p
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 18, 2025
Linebacker Comparison
Linebacker is the only position in which Texas A&M has a huge advantage. Chadwick said, "The Aggies’ linebackers and defensive backs need to bring their hard hats this week against the Hurricanes. LB Mohamed Trarore leads Miami with 54 tackles and Taurean York tops the Aggies with 68 stops at LB.
Secondary comparison
Miami turned its secondary from a weakness in 2024 to a strength in 2025. The seven defensive backs on Miami with 325 snaps and over a 70 coverage grade are the most nationally. Miami has the 12th-best coverage grade overall in 2025.
Texas A&M is 21st, allowing 182.8 passing YPG and 34th permitting a 119.73 passer rating. The Aggies' passing yards allowed have been helped by permitting over 200 rushing yards in four 2025 games. If Miami can protect Carson Beck and open holes in the running game, the offense should be successful.
On paper Miami has an advantage in production in 2025 from a PFF perspective. Chadwick and his PFF podcast co-host Dalton Wasserman both picked Miami to win in close games. Saturday is the moment Mario Cristobal has been building for during the last four years.