(Photo: Chad Ryan)
Notre Dame returns from a bye week still searching for its first win of 2025. The No. 16 Texas A&M Aggies come to South Bend for the Irish home opener under the lights at Notre Dame Stadium.
Here’s how the Fighting Irish Preview staff sees it playing out:
PHILLIP HOUK – Senior Editor
Marcus Freeman is a perfect 5-0 after bye weeks. So expect this coaching staff to have cleaned up some things after the Miami game disappointment. Texas A&M is solid all over the field, but they are not quite Miami. Boubacar Traeore introduces Marcel Reed to the turf a few times and the Irish ground game grinds it out.
Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Texas A&M 21
CALEB CONRAD – Staff Intern
After suffering a loss at Miami, Notre Dame had a bye week in addition to this week to clean things up and prepare for this game. The outcome of this game will rely heavily on if Notre Dame’s offensive line can block their assignments allowing CJ Carr to have time in the pocket and get Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price established early in the game. Another key player on the Irish offense who Carr will be looking for is Malachi Fields. Notre Dame will be playing under the lights at home allowing the Irish to a key advantage. If CJ Carr slings it the way we all found out about against Miami and the defense does their job, Notre Dame wins and picks up momentum.
Prediction: Notre Dame 28, Texas A&M 21
JESSE CRAIG – Webmaster
As my FIP cohorts have mentioned, Coach Freeman has been stellar preparing his teams coming off bye weeks. Notre Dame’s defense has given up an average of 8.8 ppg after bye weeks in the Freeman era. A&M’s defense has proven it’s susceptible to big chunk plays through 2 games. I expect a heavy dose of run setting up down field play action and NDs defense to play much better than it did in Hard Rock.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Texas A&M 13
CHAD RYAN – Photo Journalist / Multimedia Editor
Coming off a bye week, Notre Dame is 11-2 since 2021. That’s good news for the Irish as they face No. 16 Texas A&M in their home opener Saturday. Even better news is the Aggies have struggled against the run, surrendering 177 yards and two TDs on just 16 carries in Week 1 to UTSA running back Robert Henry Jr. And, the Roadrunners don’t have the rushing attack Notre Dame has. I think the bye week gives the Irish a chance to reset. Mike Denbrock will look to get the ground game going to take pressure off CJ Carr. Look for both Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to have big days.
After an injury scare to star QB Marcel Reed, the Aggies’ redshirt sophomore posted on Instagram, ‘I’ll be there for Notre Dame.’ Reed’s arm will test the Irish secondary. But this week off helps here too as coverage schemes have surely been evaluated and adjusted. Notre Dame sets the ship right and takes this one.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Texas A&M 21
CONNOR FITZHARRIS – Staff Writer
Notre Dame’s offensive line and front seven on defense had an extra week to prepare for Texas A&M. Notre Dame’s coaching staff has also had an extra week to scheme around for Marcel Reed and the Aggies. The running threat of Marcel Reed is concerning, but expect Jaylen Sneed to have a huge night. Irish O-line gets it into gear and the offense has a big game led by a three-headed rushing attack.
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Texas A&M 20
ADAM SCHENKEL – Producer / Audio Editor
The Irish bounce back in a big way, feeding off the home crowd and relying on the legs of Jeremiyah Love to set the tone offensively. While the Miami loss raised some eyebrows, it may have masked how resilient Notre Dame truly was in fighting back late. This week, no resiliency will be needed as they’ll control the pace from the start, never letting the Aggies get closer than a score, securing their first win of the season.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Texas A&M 17
AJ HOUK – Photo Journalist / Director of Brand Strategy
How will the Irish respond after a tough Week 1 loss? History says they’ll bounce back — Notre Dame has only dropped back-to-back games once in the Freeman era, and that came during his first season as head coach.
With a bye week to reset and valuable game experience now under CJ Carr’s belt, I expect this team to come out locked in. The bigger question is how the defensive line will answer after a quiet opener. This group is far too talented to disappear again, and I anticipate them bringing more pressure to make life uncomfortable for Marcell Reed.
It’s also worth remembering: Miami’s scoring came off two highlight-reel, one-of-a-kind catches. Take those away, and Notre Dame would be singing a different tune.
This week, the Irish clean up their mistakes, take a step forward, and get it done at home.
Prediction: Notre Dame 28, Texas A&M 17.