Notre Dame (0-0) at Texas A&M (0-0)
When: Saturday, August 31st 2024
Where: Kyle Field,
College Station, TX
Time: 7:30 ET | TV: ABC
Opening Odds: Texas A&M -1.5/49
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The marquee matchup in Week 1 of the College Football season takes place in College Station, as the Texas A&M Aggies host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday night. Both teams come in with high expectations and both are hoping to make the College Football Playoff this season. A loss wouldn’t kill their chances since the playoffs are now expanded to 12 teams, but a win would go a long way. The Aggies are a 3-point favorite at home with a total pegged at 46.
Texas A&M went 7-6 last year and lost to Oklahoma State in the Texas Bowl 31-23. They came into 2023 ranked 23rd, but lost at Miami FL in Week 2 and never returned to the polls. The Aggies lost four more times – all to ranked SEC opponents. The Irish finished 10-3 a year ago and easily beat Oregon State 40-8 in the Sun Bowl. Notre Dame was favored in every game but one last season, a 17-14 loss to Ohio State. The home team has won and covered the spread in each of the last five meetings – the last in 2001.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
Notre Dame brought in QB Riley Leonard from Duke, who will be facing his former head coach there in Mike Elko. Leonard is a physical runner at the quarterback position and has the skills to lead this Irish team. The offensive line is a total rebuild this year. They lost both tackles, Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, to the NFL draft. They also suffered a blow a few weeks ago with a season-ending injury to Charles Jagusahopens, who was meant to replace Alt at left tackle. On the defensive side, Notre Dame should be really good. Al Golden is one of the best defensive coordinators in the country and the unit returns a lot of experience.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
Elko was formerly the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M, and now is the head man, taking over for Jimbo Fisher. Elko is a fantastic in-game coach, something Fisher was not. Elko also brings with him a new offensive coordinator in Collin Klein from Kansas State. Conner Weigman returns as quarterback and he’s been dealing with injuries his whole career. The offensive line should also be improved after firing OL Coach Steve Addazio. The Aggies did great work in the transfer portal for the defense side of the ball, bringing in edge rusher Nic Scourton and CB Dezz Ricks.
PREDICTION
This is going to be a big year for the Irish, who’s defense alone can win them games. The Aggies will be improved this year, but it might take a couple of weeks. This is not a team you wan to face right off the bat. I expect Notre Dame to control the lines and come away with a close victory.
Pick: Notre Dame +3
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