Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Prediction & Betting Tips - August 31

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Prediction & Betting Tips - August 31 | College football Week 1

Modified Aug 31, 2024 15:37 GMT

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Prediction & Betting Tips - August 31 - IMAGN

Week 1 of college football is underway and one of the biggest games of the opening week will see the Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the Texas A&M Aggies. The game is at Kyle Field with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. EDT. The game will broadcast live on ABC.

The Fighting Irish are coming off a 10-3 season and enter 2024 with playoff expectations. Texas A&M went 7-6 last year and has a new coach as the Aggies hired Mike Elko from Duke to replace Jimbo Fisher.

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M: Prediction

Notre Dame is ranked seventh, while Texas A&M is ranked 20th in the AP Top 25 poll. It is expected to be one of the best games this week and will be a crucial opening game for both teams.

The Fighting Irish got Riley Leonard in the transfer portal who has had success at college and should lead a dynamic Notre Dame offense. Notre Dame's defense should still be one of the best in the country, which will give Texas A&M some problems.

"He wants to run,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said, via Athlon Sports. "He wants the ball in his hand. So, I think that’s an added element to your offense.

"I don’t want to see our quarterback running the ball every play and that’s not our plan. But to have the ability to have designed quarterback runs or truly read defenders with a quarterback that can pull it is something that’s going to help our offense have success.”

However, Texas A&M has a great pass rush, and the offensive line of the Fighting Irish is dealing with some injuries, which could spell trouble for Leonard.

The Aggies are also returning quarterback Conner Weigman who should be able to elevate Texas A&M's offense. Both defenses have been solid in the past, so this could be a low-scoring game in Week 1.

Prediction: Texas A&M 23, Notre Dame 20.