What Ohio State can learn from Miami’s victory over Texas A&M

A classic Buckeye rivalry will be renewed on December 31, as the No. 10 seed Miami Hurricanes travel to AT&T Stadium to face off against the No. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes.

The Hurricanes secured their spot by defeating the No. 7 seed Texas A&M Aggies 10-3 in a windy showdown at Kyle Field. Junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. led the charge with an impressive 172 rushing yards. Fletcher’s outstanding performance, combined with two clutch defensive red zone stands, helped Miami pull away late and pull off the upset over the Aggies.

### Weather Played a Big Role in Miami’s Victory

Miami’s victory was marked by some sloppy moments, including multiple missed field goals largely due to the gusty conditions swirling throughout the stadium. Miami’s kicker, Carter Davis, went 1-of-4 on field goals, while Texas A&M’s kicker managed just 1-of-2. Weather conditions like these clearly affected both teams’ ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

However, Ohio State should expect a different Hurricanes team inside the dome of AT&T Stadium on New Year’s Eve, free from the punishing elements that shaped the Texas contest.

### 1. Mark Fletcher Jr. Will Test the Buckeyes’ Run Defense

Fletcher carried a heavy workload on Saturday, accounting for over 61% of Miami’s total offensive yards. While the weather may have influenced the game plan to lean on the ground, it also highlighted Fletcher’s skill set as a dangerous rushing threat. Despite not scoring a touchdown, Fletcher put forth his best performance of the season.

That said, Fletcher will face a much stiffer test against Ohio State’s formidable rushing defense. Defensive Coordinator Matt Patricia’s unit ranks No. 5 nationally in yards allowed per rush (2.8) and No. 6 in rushing yards allowed per game (83.7). If Miami continues to rely on Fletcher’s momentum, Ohio State’s front seven will likely face a heavy workload containing the junior back in the Cotton Bowl.

### 2. Miami Could Be a Different Team Inside AT&T Stadium

The severe winds on Saturday severely limited both offenses — drives were often stifled by missed field goal attempts and conservative play-calling. With the Hurricanes entering a controlled, dome environment, weather won’t be an impediment.

This change favors kicker Carter Davis, who will have a better chance to convert field goals. It also allows quarterback Carson Beck to open up the passing game. Beck, a former Georgia Bulldog, took a backseat in the windy game, completing 14-of-20 passes for 103 yards and one touchdown in a game-managing role.

Under dome conditions, Beck will have a golden opportunity to command Miami’s offense and challenge Ohio State’s top-ranked defense with a more aggressive aerial attack.

### 3. Hurricanes’ Defense Shines in the Red Zone

One glaring issue for Ohio State this season has been red zone efficiency. The Buckeyes struggled notably in the Big Ten Championship Game against Indiana, stalling out twice inside the red zone — a factor that contributed heavily to their loss.

Miami’s defense, on the other hand, was stout in the red zone against Texas A&M. The Hurricanes denied the Aggies on two possessions that ended at the 5-yard line, including a game-sealing interception on one of those stands.

Ohio State’s red zone scoring percentage ranks 42nd nationally, so facing a Miami defense that just demonstrated the ability to make big plays inside the 20-yard line presents a major challenge for the Buckeyes.

This strong red zone performance comes despite Miami allowing opponents to score on 86% of their red zone trips throughout the season, making it all the more impressive that they clamped down when it mattered most versus Texas A&M.

—

Ohio State enters the Cotton Bowl as heavy favorites against Miami, but if the Hurricanes bring the same intensity and discipline in the red zone and utilize Fletcher’s running ability effectively, the Buckeyes could find themselves struggling once again to score inside the 20-yard line.

This classic matchup promises to deliver excitement as Miami looks to upset Ohio State on New Year’s Eve.
https://www.si.com/college/ohiostate/news/what-ohio-state-can-learn-from-miami-s-victory-over-texas-a-m-01kd0hxyybb9

You may also like

Federal judge blocks Sen. Mark Kelly’s demotion

2026 年 2 月 12 日

Masked man approaches Nancy Guthrie’s home in chilling new video

2026 年 2 月 10 日

Ghislaine Maxwell refuses to answer questions in Epstein deposition

2026 年 2 月 9 日