Miami upsets Texas A&M in College Football Playoff after clutch goal line stand
The first round of the College Football Playoff delivered two major upsets over the weekend. The Miami Hurricanes overcame the Texas A&M Aggies in a tense battle, while the No. 9 seed Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the No. 8 seed Oklahoma Sooners. Both winning teams now advance to high-stakes quarterfinal clashes against top-ranked opponents.
The match between Miami and Texas A&M began as a defensive struggle, with neither team scoring until the third quarter. Miami’s kicker, Carter Davis, finally broke the deadlock with a field goal. The Aggies responded by switching kickers to Randy Bond, who helped tie the game at 3-3.
Miami took the lead when quarterback Carson Beck connected with wide receiver Malachi Toney on an 11-yard touchdown. Later, Texas A&M pushed to the Miami five-yard-line but failed to capitalise. A broken-up pass and an interception by Bryce Fitzgerald ended their scoring threat. With the victory, Miami advances to the Cotton Bowl Classic on December 31, where they will face the No. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes. Meanwhile, Alabama’s win over Oklahoma sets up a Rose Bowl quarterfinal against the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers on January 1, 2026. Ohio State will also travel to Pasadena to take on Indiana in the same round, ensuring a showdown of top teams in the new year.
The playoff’s first round has reshuffled expectations, with Miami and Alabama moving forward. Their next games will test them against higher-ranked rivals in key bowl matchups. Both quarterfinals promise intense competition as the season nears its climax.
