Notre Dame Football Fans Divided Over Texas A&M Matchup

Just how tough of an opponent will the Aggies be for Notre Dame?

Jul 18, 2024; Dallas, TX, USA; Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko speaking at Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports / Brett Patzke-USA TODAY Sports

How quickly can Mike Elko have the Aggies clicking on all cylinders?

Notre Dame fans respect Mike Elko from his time in South Bend and what he accomplished in his short stint at Duke as well. Now he has moved on to Texas A&M and will face Notre Dame to open the 2024 season and Irish fans aren't quite sure what to expect from the Elko-led Aggies.

It feels like from my interactions on social media and YouTube, many Notre Dame fans think that the Aggies, coming off a 7-6 season, a boatload of transfers in and out, and a full-scale coaching change will not be much of a challenge to the Irish in Week 1 even in their home stadium.

On the other hand, a large contingent of Notre Dame fans have great respect for the Aggies SEC roster full of athletes and are bracing for a hardcore nigh-long battle in College Station. What is the truth of the matter?

Notre Dame vs Texas A&M: Early Weather Report for Game Day

LINE MOVEMENT 🚨

Texas A&M has moved to being a 3 point favorite vs Notre Dame on most sports books.

Line stared at PK and was solid with the Aggies -1.5 for a while. pic.twitter.com/QILzrsh5yB

— College Football Headlines (@CFBHeadlines) August 20, 2024

How will Notre Dame handle their next "big game" moment?

If Notre Dame wins this game, even just by a single point, they will have the inside track to host a playoff game in South Bend in late December. With a loss though, the Irish will essentially need to go 11-0 the rest of the year to ensure being included in the expanded CFP bracket at all. Walking this tightrope is a scenario Marcus Freeman would like to avoid.

Under Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame has not had a history of getting off to fast starts on the road and they cannot afford to have that happen in this environment, in this game, in this setting. Will Freeman have his team prepared for the moment? America is about to find out.

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