No. 7 Notre Dame is set to visit No. 20 Texas A&M in a highly anticipated season opener for both teams in College Station, Texas. The Fighting Irish earned a spot in the preseason top 10 and are favored to reach the College Football Playoff. Under the leadership of third-year head coach Marcus Freeman, who has a career record of 19-8, the team has yet to complete a season with a top-10 finish.
Texas A&M is entering a new phase with first-year head coach Mike Elko, who previously led Duke to success. Elko has made a significant impact through the transfer portal, bringing in the No. 4 recruiting class with 28 new additions. Quarterback Conner Weigman has faced injury challenges but has the potential to be a key player if he can maintain his health.
Historically, Notre Dame leads the series against Texas A&M 3-2. The Aggies won their last encounter, securing a 24-3 victory in 2001. This matchup will be the first between the two teams at Kyle Field, with previous meetings occurring at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas from 1988 to 1994.
Fans can follow live updates from the Notre Dame versus Texas A&M game in Week 1.
Viewing details for Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M:
Date: Saturday, Aug. 31 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas
TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (available for free trial)
Key points for Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M:
New offensive direction: Marcus Freeman has focused on enhancing the offense, recruiting two of the top free agents. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock joins the team after helping Jayden Daniels achieve Heisman Trophy recognition at LSU. He will work with new quarterback Riley Leonard, who transferred from Duke after a season plagued by injuries. Leonard had previously recorded nearly 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdowns under now-Texas A&M coach Mike Elko.
Program transformation: Texas A&M brought in Elko to steer the program, and his influence is already visible. Offensive coordinator Collin Klein is emphasizing quarterback runs and spreading the offense. The defense will rely on its defensive line and pass-rusher Nic Scourton, who led the Big Ten with 10 sacks last season, potentially marking him as the best edge rusher the Aggies have had since Myles Garrett.
Edge battle: Notre Dame’s lineup has been affected by the season-ending injury of projected starting offensive tackle Charles Jagusah, resulting in freshman Anthonie Knapp stepping in. The Irish will field three sophomores and two freshmen, facing off against a Texas A&M defensive front that could rank among the best in college football. Defensive end Nic Scourton, along with recruits Shemar Turner, Shemar Stewart, and DJ Hicks, aims to challenge Notre Dame’s offensive line.
Prediction for Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M:
Despite the disparity in rankings, Texas A&M is a slight favorite against Notre Dame, and there are valid reasons for this edge. The Aggies have the capability to disrupt play in the trenches, posing potential challenges for their opponents thanks to their robust defensive line. While Texas A&M’s offense raises questions, they are expected to perform adequately enough to secure a significant victory at Kyle Field, with a prediction favoring Texas A&M by three points.