Dec. 8, 2025, 5:04 a.m. CT

Texas A&M (11-1, 7-1 SEC) will enter the College Football Playoff as the No. 7-seed, set to host No. 10 Miami (FL) (10-2) on Saturday, December 20, for an early noon ET kick off in Kyle Field. While it’s an honor just to be selected to the CFP, no one has provided a clear answer as to why the Aggies are ranked below No. 6 Ole Miss, which will host No. 11 Tulane in the first round, which the Rebels defeated 45-10 earlier this year.

For head coach Mike Elko, making it to the CFP in just his second season at the helm is quite the achievement, taking the next step after signing his six-year extension late last month. However, the primary reason the Aggies dropped in the rankings was their regular-season finale loss to Texas, 27-17, which sent a message to the Selection Committee that a substantial drop was warranted.

Either way, the focus now completely shifts to Miami (FL), knowing that the Hurricanes have played much better down the stretch of the season, led by veteran quarterback Carson Beck and star pass rusher Reuben Bain. This will be the first time since the 2023 season that the Aggies have faced the Hurricanes, and the first time the Hurricanes have played at Kyle Field since 2022.

On Sunday, just hours after the final CFP bracket was released, Mike Elko provided comments to the media multiple times, finishing the busy day off with an in-depth preview of what he and his team expect from Miami less than two weeks from now.

This is a special time for Aggie Football

“Obviously, an exciting day for Texas A&M football. Opportunity to be in the playoff. An opportunity to host at Kyle Field. That will be a really special moment for this program.”

Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!Mike Elko on facing Miami in Kyle Field

“It’s going to be a huge challenge for our program, but we’re certainly excited for the opportunity.”

Elko on earning the No. 7 seed in the bracket

“(No. 7 seed) is more their decision, so great. Not really paying much attention on the next one. Really just focused on the opportunity to play Miami.”

No matter the decision, making the CFP was quite the moment

“We were excited to see our name. We had a pretty good feel for the group of teams (the opponent) was going to be. We were in prep mode for that.”

“It was a really cool moment to see Texas A&M pop up there at No. 7.”

Elko on facing Miami’s deep defensive line

“In terms of what you expect from them, you know they’re going to be really talented. You know they’re going to be really long and athletic on the D-line.”

“Offensively, you know they’re going to be extremely physical.”

This is not the same Miami team Elko has faced in the past

“Maybe a little, but from a coordinator standpoint, both coordinators have changed over since I’ve played them. There’s also been so much turnover on both rosters.”

“It’s a fresh opponent, which is exciting.”

Elko on the future of nonconference scheduling

“There is a lot of conversations that are going to need to be had this offseason. It’s no different than anything I’ve said to this point. There needs to be some clarity on which metrics we’re using.”

This is the first step for Texas A&M under Elko’s guidance

“It’s where we need this program to be. It’s part of the mission we’ve been on, which is for people to talk about what we’ve accomplished and a little less of what we’re capable of being.”

“When you see Texas A&M on that board, it’s a statement being made about where we’ve gotten this program to… Now, that was a goal, but it’s not the end goal.”

This coaching staff has see it all

“They’ve been through 5-7, 7-5. To see their name on the big board and get the opportunity to go to the playoffs, everyone in our organization is fired up for the opportunity.”

It was an enjoyable watch party

“The watch party was excitement. It’s a really cool thing to see the playoffs come out and see your team be in it. More than any other year, it was challenging to get in, and a lot of really talented teams did not get in.”

“We immediately transitioned over to the team room and started talking about prep. The goal is not to get your name on the board. The goal is to advance and compete for a championship.”

Just get in the tournament and see what happens

“Making it was the first step. Now we’ve got to go out and continue to play good football. We’ll have the opportunity to do that, and that’s a really cool, unique opportunity for us.”

This Miami roster is very, very talented

“Miami is an extremely talented team. They have a ton of NFL draft picks on that roster.” “When you get down to this part of it, you’ve got the best of the best from the entire country, and each one of those teams is capable of going on and winning this thing.”

This will will be a bye week before game week arrives

“We are going to treat it like this is our bye week going into game prep.”

“This week will be like an accelerated early-season bye week where we’re trying to tighten up fundamentals. As we hit the weekend, we transition into game prep.”

Elko on facing Miami’s stiff run defense

“They’re a challenge. I don’t know if it’s possible to pick them apart.”

“They’re going to present a ton of challenges for us… We’re just trying to find yards right now.”

It’s time to lock in

“It’s going to take everything we’ve got over the next few days to dive into (Miami) and see what they’re really about to give us a chance to go out and have success.”

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