Texas A&M Hosts Historic First CFP Game Amid Crowd Noise Controversy

Texas A&M is making College Football Playoff history today. The No. 7 seeded Aggies host the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes in a first-round matchup. This is the first-ever CFP game played at the iconic Kyle Field in College Station. The showdown kicks off at 12 p.m. ET and airs on ABC and ESPN.

The historic moment arrives with extra controversy. Former Alabama coach Nick Saban recently accused Texas A&M of piping artificial crowd noise into their stadium. Current Aggies coach Mike Elko has forcefully denied those claims, setting the stage for a charged atmosphere.

Breaking Down the Historic Playoff Matchup

Texas A&M earned its high seed with an impressive 11-1 record. Under second-year coach Mike Elko, the team went 7-1 in the tough SEC. This playoff berth is a landmark achievement for the program, which has never hosted a CFP game before.

Their home-field advantage is considered massive. Kyle Field holds over 110,000 fans and is renowned as one of the loudest venues in sports. The Aggies have a stellar 12-2 home record over the past two seasons, according to ESPN statistics.

Miami presents a formidable challenge. The Hurricanes, led by Mario Cristobal, finished 10-2 and 6-2 in ACC play. This game marks Miami’s first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff, making it a historic day for both programs involved.

The Saban Allegations and the Real Kyle Field Roar

The noise controversy erupted just days ago. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Nick Saban claimed he filed SEC complaints about Texas A&M’s artificial crowd noise during his coaching tenure. He stated the issue affected game communication for visiting teams.

Coach Mike Elko responded directly on the SEC Network. “We’ve always had the crowd noise, we’ve always had the fan base. None of that is actually piped in,” Elko stated. He attributed the deafening environment solely to the passion of Aggie fans.

Historical data supports the stadium’s natural volume. In 1985, officials nearly penalized Texas A&M because the crowd noise was too loud. This longstanding reputation adds credibility to Elko’s defense against Saban’s artificial noise claims.

High Stakes and What Comes Next for the Winner

The prize for winning is a shot at a national title contender. The victor advances to face the No. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes in the next round. Ohio State is widely viewed as a championship favorite this season.

For Texas A&M, a win validates their stellar season and powerful home environment. For Miami, an upset on the road would announce their arrival as a true playoff force. The pressure is immense for both sides in this single-elimination format.

The matchup hinges on handling pressure. Miami must overcome a hostile environment they’ve never experienced. Texas A&M must leverage its home crowd without distraction from the off-field controversy. Execution under duress will decide the game.

Today’s historic Texas A&M CFP home game is about more than a playoff win. It is a test of a team’s fortitude and the authentic power of one of college football’s most famous crowds.

Info at your fingertips

What time is the Texas A&M vs. Miami playoff game?

The game starts at 12 p.m. Eastern Time. It is being televised live on ABC and can be streamed on ESPN’s platforms.

Why is this Texas A&M game considered historic?

This is the first College Football Playoff game ever hosted at Kyle Field. It marks Texas A&M’s debut as a CFP host in the event’s history.

What did Nick Saban accuse Texas A&M of doing?

Nick Saban alleged that Texas A&M uses artificial, piped-in crowd noise during games. He claimed to have reported this to the SEC when he coached at Alabama.

How did Texas A&M coach Mike Elko respond?

Coach Elko denied the accusations completely. He stated the loud atmosphere is generated solely by the team’s large and passionate fan base.

Who will the winner of this game play next?

The winning team advances to the next round to face the No. 2 seed Ohio State Buckeyes. That game will also be part of the playoff quarterfinals.

What are the records of the two teams playing?

Texas A&M comes in with an 11-1 record. Miami enters the playoff with a 10-2 record for the season.