Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Texas A&M Aggies 8/31/2024 – As the 2024 college football season kicks off, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish travel to Kyle Field to take on the Texas A&M Aggies on August 31, 2024. Both teams enter the match with a 0-0 record, looking to set a positive tone for the season. Notre Dame aims to build on its strong performance from previous years, while Texas A&M seeks to rebound from its last season. For fans and bettors alike, this game presents an exciting opportunity and valuable insights for pro college football free picks.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Texas A&M Aggies 8/31/2024 Game Info |
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| When: | Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Kyle Field |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (0-0) vs. Texas A&M Aggies (0-0)
Expectations are very high for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish this season. They have covered the spread five out of the last six games, so that track record seems promising. Also, in the previous 18 away games, Notre Dame was 14 – 4 – 0, so this team is relaxed in challenging situations. The Irish will try to show their ability and effectiveness in the season’s first game against Texas A&M to secure good national rankings.
On the other hand, Texas A&M immediately changed the season and wants to avoid repeating the unsuccessful last year. The Aggies struggled a couple of years back but have a good habit of protecting their home turf and have recently gone 8-1 at Kyle Field. They also have had their fair share of winning streaks in opening games. Their last five season openers record is an impressive 8-1. Since the Aggies have been expected to try and battle their way back on top of the SEC, this game would carry weight in their ambitions.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Rushing and Receiving
The offensive overload shows why the role of Sam Hartman on the team this season is critical. The passing stats of Hartman from the previous season indicated he had a total of 2689 yards that he completed with an efficiency rating of 63.5% and a passer rating of 159.5. His advantage in running the Irish offensive juggernaut and making such plays will be significant down the stretch, especially when facing a well-known SEC defense. If the same is to be done at Kyle Field, he must take it easy and try not to catch up with the tempo right at the start of the game, unlike the pressure of Texas A-M’s defense, which is what the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Alabama is expected to do today.
In the backfield, running back Audric Estime provides a vital presence after rushing for 1341 yards last season, with an average of 6.4 yards/carry, pounding the ball as much as possible. Estime’s effectiveness is an essential aspect of the Irish offense, and his ability to execute tackles and move the chains will ease pressure off Hartman. Another dimension in the passing attack is provided by wide receiver Chris Tyree, who had accumulated 484 receiving yards the previous season. If the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are to have a comprehensive offensive plan to beat the Texan defense, the trio of Hartman, Estime, and Tyree will be very integral.
Texas A&M Aggies Rushing and Receiving
The Texas A&M Aggies also come into the game with freshman quarterback Max Johnson being their leading assassin. Johnson has experience and thus has something to build on from last season, where he finished with 1452 passing yards and a 62.1 % completion rate. Within the frame of Johnson’s shooting, he will shoulder most of Texas A&M’s offensive plans against the Irish. Johnson likes to move around, turn, and run, which is a great help in turning the ball over to defenders on the Notre Dame defensive line.
Running back Amari Daniels will complete the sucking jigsaw in offense for the Aggies. Amari rushed on 105 attempts to cover a distance of 532 yards in the last season and averaged 5.1 yards on every carry. Where Daniels is ready to be a significant threat, which is particularly obvious as the Aggies will probably try and run the ball a lot early on. All of this will be possible with the help of wide receiver Ainias Smith, who received 795 yards and two touchdowns. A receiver with such a skill set will be significant, just like an Idaho State vs Oregon State game today.
Sam Hartman QB vs. Max Johnson QB
Comparing the two quarterbacks, Sam Hartman is in a prime position to lead Notre Dame effectively this season. With impressive statistics from the previous year, he will look to maintain his trajectory while capitalizing on the talent surrounding him. Hartman’s ability to minimize turnovers and create opportunities for his playmakers will be vital as he navigates Texas A&M’s aggressive defense. Establishing quick passes and efficient drives can set the tone early and alleviate pressure off his shoulders.
Max Johnson, meanwhile, embodies a dual-threat capability that can significantly impact the game. His quarterbacking performance showcased promise last season, with solid completion rates and pivotal throws. Improving his consistency and reducing turnovers will be critical if Texas A&M keeps pace with Notre Dame. Johnson’s ability to align with skill players like Smith and Daniels can ensure the offense remains unpredictable and effective against their opponent.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Texas A&M Aggies -3.0 (-115), Total Odds: 50.5 over -110
The current betting odds place the Texas A&M Aggies as 3-point favorites, signifying expectations for a tightly contested match. The total is 50.5, indicating a balanced projection between the two offenses as they proceed into the game.
Given Texas A&M’s historical performances and defensive capabilities, early betting indicators show some merit in supporting the Aggies. While the spread indicates a close game, bettors should carefully assess both teams’ historical trends before placing wagers.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Trends
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s recent performance trends highlight a solid ability to cover the spread effectively, having posted a 5-1 record in their last six games. As they enter this matchup, their success against the spread and their straight-up solid record (10-5 in their previous 15 games) underscores their competitiveness. Noteworthily, Notre Dame has had a strong showing in August games and carries a historical success rate against opponents in the Mountain West conference.
However, a tendency for totals to go UNDER reflects a better defensive showing that has been important for the Irish. Against an explosive team like Texas A&M, maintaining that defensive strength while capitalizing on offensive opportunities will be critical.
Texas A&M Aggies Betting Trends
In contrast, Texas A&M’s betting trends highlight some caution against recent challenges when favorited, reflected by a 1-6-1 record against the spread in their last eight games. Last season saw Texas A&M struggling, leading to inconsistent performance metrics that impacted how they approached their matchups.
Nevertheless, their 8-1 home record and overall success (8-1 against non-conference teams) showcase their strength, and their ability to perform in August represents a focus for the upcoming season. Evaluating these trends suggests Texas A&M carries both risk and potential as they confront the Fighting Irish.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Texas A&M Aggies 8/31/2024 Betting Picks
Public sentiment leans favorably toward the Texas A&M Aggies as this highly anticipated matchup nears. With expectations of competing against a prestigious program like Notre Dame, the Aggies should leverage their home-field advantage and historical solid performance.
Analyzing prop bets could yield valuable opportunities for bettors, especially surrounding Johnson’s passing yards or Hartman’s touchdowns, given the offensive pressure both teams will exert. Additionally, consideration of totals could favor an OVER bet if recent trends hold, especially against opposing defenses that have shown vulnerability in the past. Top multi-handicapper picks will likely focus on the dynamic of this matchup to gain insight into potential scoring margins.