Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Texas A&M Aggies Picks and Predictions
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are looking to rebound from a tough loss, while the Texas A&M Aggies travel north with revenge on their minds. Notre Dame dropped its opener 27-24 against Miami, while Texas A&M comes in at 2-0 after back-to-back wins where they scored over 40 points.
This meeting in South Bend gives both programs a chance to measure themselves early in the season, with playoff implications already looming.
Notre Dame: Patience and Growth
Coach Marcus Freeman stressed the idea of “delayed gratification” to his team, reminding them that setbacks are part of the bigger journey. Freshman quarterback CJ Carr made his starting debut against Miami, finishing 19-for-30 for 221 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
The Irish showed fight by erasing a 14-point deficit, but execution late in games needs to improve. Running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to take on more responsibility after 10 carries for 33 yards last week. Defensively, the Irish will need to find a way to slow down Texas A&M’s dynamic quarterback.
Notre Dame Snapshot
Category | Stat | Key Note |
---|---|---|
Record | 0-1 | Lost 27-24 vs Miami |
QB CJ Carr | 221 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT | First career start |
RB Jeremiyah Love | 10 carries, 33 yds | Bigger role ahead |
Head Coach | Marcus Freeman | Emphasizing patience |
Texas A&M: Revenge-Minded and Rolling
The Aggies have waited a full year to avenge last season’s 23-13 loss to Notre Dame. Coach Mike Elko has his squad firing early, with wins over UTSA and Utah State where the Aggies scored more than 40 points in both games.
Quarterback Marcel Reed has been sensational, completing 66.1 percent of his passes for 509 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. He also adds mobility, rushing for 105 yards and a score. Reed briefly left last week with an injury but is cleared to return. Receivers Mario Craver and KC Concepcion have each hauled in three touchdowns and remain key weapons in Elko’s scheme.
Texas A&M Snapshot
Category | Stat | Key Note |
---|---|---|
Record | 2-0 | Wins vs UTSA & Utah State |
QB Marcel Reed | 509 yds, 7 TD, 0 INT | Dual-threat leader |
WRs Craver & Concepcion | 6 combined TDs | Top targets |
Head Coach | Mike Elko | Seeking revenge vs ND |
Key Matchups
The duel between CJ Carr and Texas A&M’s aggressive defense will be central to the outcome. Carr will be tested against a unit that thrives on pressure, and his ability to protect the ball will be critical. On the flip side, Notre Dame’s defense must contain Reed, who can extend plays and beat defenses both through the air and on the ground.
The Fighting Irish will also look to control the tempo with their run game, while the Aggies aim to spread the field with speed at wide receiver.
Series History and Storylines
Last season, Notre Dame frustrated the Aggies in a 23-13 win, holding them to just one touchdown. Texas A&M responded by winning seven straight games afterward, showing how pivotal the matchup was to their momentum. This year, Notre Dame is trying to avoid a 0-2 start, while Texas A&M is eager to prove it belongs among the SEC’s elite.
Picks and Predictions
Notre Dame enters ranked No. 8, while Texas A&M sits at No. 16, making this one of the weekend’s most intriguing top-25 clashes. The Aggies’ balance on offense and Reed’s dual-threat ability give them an edge, but Notre Dame’s home-field advantage and Carr’s potential make this far from a one-sided affair.
My projection leans Texas A&M in a 27-24 revenge win, with Reed’s playmaking as the difference. Bettors can follow the latest college football odds and expert NCAAF picks for betting insight. For more strategies across football, the Expert NFL Betting Guide provides deep analysis.