Notre Dame football is back on the field this weekend, as they are set to host the Texas A&M Aggies in a top-25 home opening matchup.
The Irish lost to Miami in Week 1, then had an off week, while the Aggies enter the game 2-0. This isn’t the only big matchup of the weekend in college football, as there are more than a few games of significance around the country.
The staff here at Fighting Irish Wire of Tim Healey, Dave Miller and Michael Chen pick the winners of the best games and Texas A&M at Miami with special guest picker, Aggies Wire’s lead wire Cameron Ohnysty, making his choice for it as well.
No. 12 Clemson Tigers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Healey – Clemson should walk. I suppose there is upset potential here — an overlooked opponent, on the road, early in the year — but my gut feeling is that the Tigers take care of business.
Miller – This should be a pretty easy one for Clemson, but that’s what we said last week and Troy gave them a ballgame. It was a learning moment for the Tigers, and they get it corrected this weekend.
Chen – After last week, you have to wonder which Clemson team will show up. The first game hangover is gone, as it bleed into Week 2. The Tigers are too talented to continue last week’s average play, and win comfortably.
Wisconsin Badgers at No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide
Healey – Alabama may still be shook from losing to Florida State, but I suspect that the Tide has enough talent to roll by the Badgers.
Miller – Wisconsin hasn’t done anything to inspire anyone, and Alabama is in the same boat. They however, are littered with 4 and 5-star prospects, who help the Tide to a victory.
Chen – The Wisconsin program is in shambles, as Luke Fickell is still trying to find the magic he had at Cincinnati (where Marcus Freeman was his defensive coordinator). The same goes for Alabama, as they’ve struggled last year and early this season following Nick Saban’s retirement. The Crimson Tide are at home and have a much more talented roster, and they’ll get the win.
No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs at No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers
Healey – This is a toss-up to me. Tennessee is at home, and the gap between No. 6 and No. 15 isn’t always that big. There’s the geographic rivalry to consider, too. I think Georgia is good enough to survive, but it won’t be pretty. Bulldogs in a squeaker — but don’t be shocked if Tennessee pulls it out and makes a fool out of me.
Miller – There is a lot of momentum for Tennessee entering this game, as they’ve scored 45 and 72 points in its first two games. Georgia hasn’t been as explosive offensively, but its defense has once again shown they are elite. Tennessee scores just enough to pull this one out.
Chen – In a game like this, I always look at which coach is better, and that’s an easy pick with Georgia’s Kirby Smart. Josh Heupel is rising up the list of top coaches, but he’s still not near the top. Tennessee keeps it close, but the Bulldogs are the one’s who finish strong.
No. 18 South Florida Bulls at No. 5 Miami Hurricanes
Healey – South Florida may have cost Florida a coach, but I suspect the good feelings from last week’s upset don’t continue. Miami is at home and all of us Irish fans saw how good the Hurricanes can be. The Bulls will put up a fight, but the Canes and Carson Beck will be too much.
Miller – The good luck for the Bulls runs out, as Miami notches another top-25 win to its resume. They almost made the College Football Playoff last year, and this team looks more balanced.
Chen – Miami is cruising, and many expect them to win. South Florida has come out of nowhere with two wins over top-25 opponents, and could make it 3-for-3 after this weekend. I like the Cinderella story and I’m taking the Bulls.
Vanderbilt Commodores at No. 11 South Carolina Gamecocks
Healey – Vanderbilt gets the occasional shocking win, but I don’t foresee it here. I have no idea how good South Carolina actually is, but I know the Gamecocks are better than Vandy.
Miller – It’s hard not to like Vandy’s quarterback Diego Pavia, he’s undersized, but still performs at a high level. They’ve both played Virginia Tech and won, but South Carolina’s effort was much more of a struggle. The Commodores get another surprise win in the SEC.
Chen – The Commodores shocked the college football world last year, but they aren’t sneaking up on anyone this fall. South Carolina had a similar rise, but more successful, and that continues for the Gamecocks this weekend, but in a close one.
Tim Healey – contributor
This game has me worried, especially after the loss to Miami — Texas A&M is perhaps even more physical than the Hurricanes. On the other hand, Notre Dame is at home. If the coaches learn from the loss in South Florida and make the proper adjustments, and if CJ Carr continues to grow, the Irish should be able to win. A heavy dose of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price will be probably be necessary.
The big question to me is the Irish defense — the team’s strength last year underwhelmed in Week 1. If the Irish defense plays up to its standard, Notre Dame should take home the win, but I do expect this one to be close and relatively low-scoring. Figure something like ND 24, Texas A&M 17.
Dave Miller – contributor
I find it hard to think that the Notre Dame we saw in Week 1 will be the same team that we’ll see in Week 3 at home. The night game atmosphere will be electric, and the Irish will feed off the crowd. The last time the fans saw Notre Dame in South Bend, it was the first-round of the CFP.
Now the opponent isn’t quite the same in Texas A&M, but I think the result will be. The Irish win by two scores, Notre Dame 24, Texas A&M 14.
Michael Chen – site lead
This one is really hard for me to call, as Notre Dame didn’t play up to its potential against Miami. Texas A&M has looked good in its two games, but hasn’t faced a tough opponent yet. Both have very talented rosters, with NFL draft picks all over the field.
I think there’s an urgency with the Irish in this one, as they know how much a win would mean for the season. The Aggies have some breathing room, as their SEC conference schedule is up after this game. They won’t be looking ahead, but with an extra week to prepare, Notre Dame finds its old ways and wins in a close one, 24-17.
Cameron Ohnysty – Aggies Wire site lead
This is definitely one of the toughest games I’ve had to predict, going back and forth throughout the week. Both teams have a lot to prove, and I still believe this will come down who dominates the line of scrimmage and wins the turnover battle. My gut Notre Dame will pull off a close one and have a successful day on the ground, while the Aggies will struggle to find a balanced attack and match the home team’s explosive plays. Notre Dame, 24, Texas A&M 20.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Expert picks in college football’s Week 3 including Texas A&M at Notre Dame
Reporting by Michael Chen , Fighting Irish Wire / Fighting Irish Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
