Texas A&M Aggies Look to Pull Minor Upset Over Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Week One of the college football season is giving the fans and the betting public a lot of quality action in week one. Texas A&M Aggies taking on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is one more notch in the belt of the college football schedulers. The first season of the 12-team playoff is giving bettors, and fans alike, a lot of bang for our buck early on.
Notre Dame is supposed to be one of the top teams in the nation again according to the media. Will they be overrated as usual? We will find out soon. Texas A&M always looks great on paper but can never take that next step to become one of the elite programs in college football. In the new look SEC that is going to be tougher to do than ever.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2023 Season Recap
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish wrapped up the 2023 season with a strong 10-3 record, highlighted by a dominant win over the Oregon State Beavers, 40-8, in their final game. In that matchup, the Irish offense was efficient, running 67 plays for 468 total yards, with a powerful ground attack that contributed 236 yards on 48 carries. Defensively, Notre Dame completely shut down Oregon State’s running game, limiting them to just 2 yards on 16 attempts, while also holding them to 195 passing yards.
Over the season, Notre Dame averaged nearly 40 points per game, ranking among the top teams in Division 1 with a solid rushing game. They totaled over 5,600 yards and racked up 60 touchdowns, split almost evenly between passing and rushing. However, the team did face challenges with penalties and turnovers, which were areas of concern.
On defense, the Fighting Irish were formidable, finishing 8th nationally in points allowed. They were especially tough against the run, holding opponents to minimal gains on the ground. Their pass defense was equally impressive, ranking 2nd in the nation for the fewest yards allowed. Overall, the Irish defense was among the top in the country, allowing only a handful of touchdowns both through the air and on the ground throughout the season.
Texas A&M Aggies 2023 Season Recap
The Texas A&M Aggies finished their 2023 season with a 7-6 record, ending with a tough 31-23 loss to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. In that game, the Aggies showed some offensive firepower, gaining 445 yards, but struggled to get their ground game going, with limited success in rushing. Defensively, they allowed a solid performance from the opposing run game and struggled to contain the pass, giving up a high completion rate and significant yardage through the air.
Throughout the season, Texas A&M was a strong offensive team, ranking among the top 25 in college football in scoring, with a balanced attack that featured both the passing and rushing games. However, the team had some issues with penalties and turnovers, which affected their overall performance.
On the defensive side, the Aggies were generally solid against the run, giving up a modest amount of rushing yards and limiting rushing touchdowns. Their pass defense, while capable, had some challenges, particularly in preventing touchdowns and big plays. Overall, Texas A&M’s defense was competitive, but there was room for improvement, especially in minimizing points allowed.
A Marquee Matchup: Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M
The 2024 season kicks off with a marquee matchup as No. 7 Notre Dame travels to No. 20 Texas A&M. The Fighting Irish, a preseason top-10 team, are strong contenders for the College Football Playoff under third-year head coach Marcus Freeman, who has a 19-8 career record but has yet to achieve a top-10 finish.
Texas A&M, under the leadership of first-year head coach Mike Elko, is entering a new era. Elko, who previously transformed Duke into a winning program, aggressively utilized the transfer portal, bringing in the No. 4 recruiting class with 28 commitments. Quarterback Conner Weigman, despite past injuries, is expected to be a breakout star if he remains healthy.
Notre Dame holds a 3-2 advantage in the historical series against Texas A&M, although the Aggies won the most recent matchup in 2001 with a 24-3 victory. This game marks Notre Dame’s return to Kyle Field for the first time in over 20 years.
Key Storylines to Watch
A New Offensive Era for Notre Dame
Notre Dame has revamped its offense under new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who arrives from LSU after coaching Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels. Denbrock will work with quarterback Riley Leonard, who transferred from Duke after an injury-shortened 2023 season in which he threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns under Elko’s coaching.
Texas A&M’s Revamped Program
Texas A&M’s offense, led by coordinator Collin Klein, is expected to emphasize the quarterback run and spread concepts. Defensively, the Aggies will rely heavily on their defensive line, featuring star pass rusher Nic Scourton, who led the Big Ten with 10 sacks last season. The matchup between Notre Dame’s young offensive line, starting three sophomores and two freshmen, and Texas A&M’s formidable defensive front could be crucial in determining the outcome of the game.
Injury Updates
Injuries have already impacted both teams as they prepare for the season opener. Notre Dame will be without offensive tackle Charles Jagusah and several other players due to season-ending injuries. Meanwhile, Texas A&M will miss running back Rueben Owens, who sustained a season-ending lower-body injury. Despite these setbacks, both teams are expected to deliver a highly competitive and exciting game to kick off the 2024 season.
Odds at BetAnySports.eu
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish ended 2023 with a strong 10-3 record, capped by a dominant win over Oregon State, showcasing both a balanced offense and a top-tier defense. Texas A&M finished 7-6, struggling with consistency and losing their final game to Oklahoma State.
As the 2024 season kicks off, No. 7 Notre Dame faces No. 20 Texas A&M in a highly anticipated matchup. Notre Dame, led by third-year coach Marcus Freeman, is a top contender for the College Football Playoff, while Texas A&M, under new coach Mike Elko, enters a new era with a revamped program. Both teams are dealing with injuries, but the game promises to be a competitive start to the season.
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Spread: Notre Dame +3 (-115) Texas A&M -3 (-105)
Total: 46.5 O (-115); 46.5 U (-105)
Money line: Notre Dame +135 – Texas A&M -155
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