Greg McElroy Reveals Prediction For Notre Dame At Texas A&M Week 1 Game

In a spotlight first game for both programs, No. 7 ranked Notre Dame travels down to No. 20 Texas A&M to break in the Mike Elko era in College Station.

ESPN's Greg McElroy broke down the contest extensively in his recent episode of "Always College Football" before offering his final analysis and a prediction on Saturday's primetime game.

"This going to be a crazy physical game, a game that might be decided by one drive or another," said McElroy. "But I think it's a low-scoring, really tough, physical football game."

He went on to note that Elko's own apprentice, former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, could be the reason Aggie fans go home unhappy on Saturday.

"I believe that with what (Texas A&M) is going to see against a mobile quarterback in Riley Leonard, I think Notre Dame wins the game in what should be a low-scoring brawl," McElroy added.

Plus, he prefers what Marcus Freeman has built on the defensive side of the ball vs. Elko in year one.

"I like Notre Dame's defense just a bit more at all three levels," McElroy added. "But I do think that A&M's defensive line is capable of taking over the game. However, still rolling with the Irish as of this moment."

With a weaker defense in McElroy's estimation, plus a lack of answered questions on offense, the Irish are the pick.

"If you look at A&M, if I felt better about Texas A&M's receivers and if I felt better about Texas A&M's offensive line, I think it'd be a much more challenging choice," he added.

Ultimately, Notre Dame comes in the more established program under their head coach at the moment, but Kyle Field is Kyle Field and no program is safe there. On paper, Notre Dame has the advantage, but throw the spreadsheets out the window once the ball leaves the tee.

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