Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

It might be the most important game of Week 1.

With Florida State looking less than scintillating in the opener against Georgia Tech, Notre Dame's schedule suddenly appears to be very manageable - if it can get by Texas A&M.

The Aggies face the Irish to start, Texas to finish, and have enough winnable games in between to really and truly believe a College Football Playoff spot might be possible with a win here.

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Preview

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M How to Watch
Date: Saturday, August 31, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET
Venue: Kyle Field, College Station, TX
How to Watch: ABC
2023 Records: Texas A&M (7-6), Notre Dame (10-3)
- Week 1 Schedule, Predictions

Why Notre Dame Will Win

Texas A&M’s offense was good last year and should be strong, but it’ll have to contend with a Notre Dame defense that’s about to be devastating.

Very, very good last year, the Irish defense has grown into a brick wall under defensive coordinator Al Golden.

The secondary is loaded with playmakers—Benjamin Morrison is on the short list for the Thorpe Award - the tackles are outstanding, and the linebackers are about to become nationally known.

On the other side, the Texas A&M secondary has to prove it can hold up against a terrific group of Irish receivers and new QB Riley Leonard, but…

Why Texas A&M Will Win

Can the Notre Dame offensive line hold up?

Here comes the Texas A&M pass rush.

The line lost Joe Alt and Blake Fisher to the NFL, and this summer, it lost rising star Charles Jagusah to a season-ending knee injury. The interior of the line is fine, but overall, it’s about to have a long day against a killer Aggie pass rush.

Welcome to Purdue transfer Nic Scourton, college football.

Amazing last year, he’s about to blow up on a bigger scale. The tackles are still strong despite losing Walter Nolan to Ole Miss, and under new head coach Mike Elko and his defensive staff, they’re all about to swarm the Irish backfield.

The defense should be able to hold up against the Irish ground game, the offense has one of the nation’s best under-the-radar quarterbacks in Conner Weigman, and …

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M: Who Will Win

Elko pulled off one of the biggest stunners of the early part of last year when his Duke team beat Clemson. Texas A&M taking out Notre Dame wouldn’t be surprising, but it would be a massive moment to kick off the new era.

And the Aggies are about to do it.

The defenses will take over. Mistakes, a few turnovers, and field position will be at a premium.

The difference will be the A&M defensive front, which will come up with a few big stops in the fourth quarter, including one to hang on for dear life with the Irish driving for a chance to win.

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Prediction, Betting Lines

Texas A&M 24, Notre Dame 20
Line: Texas A&M -3, o/u: 46.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Must See Rating: 5