Week 1 of the college football season always brings the heat, and this year is no different. The highlight of Saturday evening’s slate is a showdown between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 20 Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Fighting Irish cracked the preseason top 10 for the fifth time in six years after going 10-3 in 2023. Marcus Freeman figures to have one of the best defenses in the nation, and transfer QB Riley Leonard could be in the mix for the Heisman.
Meanwhile, the Aggies will be looking to put a disappointing campaign behind them after a 7-6 finish last season. Former Duke head coach and A&M defensive coordinator Mike Elko has taken over the reins on the sidelines, and an improved offensive line could pay dividends.
Here are the latest odds and my predictions for this high-profile matchup.
Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Odds
College football odds are current as of Wednesday, Aug. 21, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Notre Dame (+120) vs Texas A&M (-142)
- Spread: Notre Dame +3 (-110) vs Texas A&M -3 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 46.5 (-110) / Under 46.5 (-110)
Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Prediction
Notre Dame 20, Texas A&M 17
There are quite a few storylines to keep an eye on here, but none are more notable than Elko vs. Leonard. A&M’s new head coach spent two seasons with Notre Dame’s star transfer at Duke, so there’s a real sense of familiarity here despite both sides representing new teams.
Whether Leonard gets the protection he needs to work his magic against this Aggies defensive front is also a big question mark. The Irish have been known for producing All-Pro offensive linemen, but they’re sporting a relatively young unit this time around. A&M’s Shemar Turner could be in for a huge day.
Ultimately, though, I’m putting my faith in Notre Dame here. The Irish boast one of the nation’s most elite defenses, and standouts Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison can give them the boost they need to escape Aggieland with a victory.
Sportsbook Play of the Day
Notre Dame vs Texas A&M Best Bets
Notre Dame Moneyline (+120) @ Texas A&M
This game is being viewed as a toss-up by oddsmakers, and in that case, it’s generally best to go with whichever team is listed at plus-money. That, along with the fact that Week 1 games are even tougher to predict than most others, makes this bet a no-brainer.
Notre Dame’s defense is key. If the Irish can generate stops and/or takeaways and get decent starting field position, there will be a path to success. Leonard is a dynamic enough playmaker to get the offense within scoring range, whether that be through the air or on the ground.
It’ll be close — and the Aggies rarely lose at home — but as far as value is concerned, the Notre Dame moneyline has every reason to be your college football bet of the day.
Under 46.5 Points (-110)
The Over might look intriguing for a game featuring Leonard and Conner Weigman, but this contest will be won on the defensive side of the ball. Texas A&M should be able to penetrate and put pressure on Leonard and the Irish, but Notre Dame has the superior unit overall.
Expect a low-scoring game and for each team to knock in their fair share of field goals, but I’d be surprised if this one goes over 44 points, let alone the 46.5 the total currently sits at.
