Two sneaky good teams go head to in South Bend this weekend after playing at Kyle Field last season. Can you describe two top 16 teams as “sneaky good” or is that underselling them? Regardless, Mike Elko leads his No. 16 ranked Texas A&M Aggies against Marcus Freeman and the No. 8 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. This will be a phenomenal contest between these two teams, just like we got last year in Week 1 in College Station. Let’s dive into our picks for this weekend’s matchup.
Editor’s Note: This prop has jumped around a bit, but I still think it is a go, as I trust this wide out to see enough targets to clear withe ease.
Go to Betting News to check out what else I’ve got on the slate for Week 3, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
#16 Texas A&M Aggies vs. #8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish NCAA Football Insights
Marcel Reed has the Aggies scoring 43 points so far this season
The Fighting Irish did not perform well against the Miami Hurricanes on Labor Day. They lost 24-27 and failed to force a turnover on the road. They had just 10 less total yards than their hosts and about the same number of penalties and third down conversions. The two takeaways ended up being the real different in the contest.
Now Marcus Freeman and the rest of the Irish have been able to sit at home and and sulk in that loss, prepping for their home opener against Texas A&M. Last year, they took down the Aggies at Kyle Field 23-13, so they should be ready for a team looking for revenge.
Marcel Reed and the Texas A&M Aggies have put up 40+ points in two games so far this season, but they’ve also allowed 20+ to teams that really aren’t very good. The Aggies opened the season beating the UTSA Roadrunners 42-24 at home, and followed it up by beating the Utah State Aggies 44-22. Now they go on the road against a real team. Facing a Marcus Freeman led ball club coming off a bye week on the road could be a lot for the Aggies to handle, and I see them relying on their defense this Saturday on the road.
Will it be enough to pull off this upset?
Le’Veon Moss is running for 6.7 yards per carry this season and has a rushing touchdown
Matchup Information – Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame – September 13
- Venue & Location: Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame, IN)
- Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
- Kick Off: 7:30 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: NBC/Peacock
Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of September 13, 2025 at 9:13 a.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus up.
Spread
- Texas A&M +6.5 (-110)
- Notre Dame -6.5 (-110)
Moneyline
- Texas A&M +203
- Notre Dame -245
Total
- Over 50.5 (-110)
- Under 50.5 (-110)
Notre Dame is coming off a bye week, they are more battle tested, and they are at home. For all of those reasons, I lean with the Irish. I see their offense firing better than it did in Miami, resulting in plenty of points, even though Texas A&M does boast a decent defense.
Despite scoring in the 40s, the Aggies gave up way too many points for my liking in their first two weeks, so a team like the Irish could run it up and make things get a little out of hand in South Bend. Look for Notre Dame to find a way to win this game and likely cover too, although I think it might be lower scoring.
#16 Texas A&M vs. #8 Notre Dame NCAA Football Picks and Predictions
Jordan Faison had five catches against Miami in Week 1
Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame Prediction: Notre Dame Wins, Under 49.5
Best Bet: Jordan Faison Over 37.5 Receiving Yards (-115) Bovada
Do your line shopping as always. But Faison should get plenty of touches. He was one of the most targeted pass catchers for the Irish last week, only behind Eli Raridon. Faison runs very quarterback friendly routes, giving CJ Carr short, quick looks over the middle or immediately after beating a defender.
The Aggies gave up 8.1 yards per completion to UTSA and over 10.75 to Utah State. Jordan Faison had five catches for 33 yards against Miami, and certainly had the opportunity for more. Texas A&M’s front seven is up there with the best in the SEC, so I could see the Irish struggling on the ground again. They still got Jeremiyah Love involved through the air, and the short routes make it easy for the new quarterback.
As I said, CJ Carr targeted Faison plenty, knowing he would have him over the middle very quickly with space to work with. I see the two of them building more chemistry this weekend at home, in a game where the Irish should defend their home turf.
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