After notching his 10th win as the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies against Utah State in Week 2, Mike Elko is faced with a massive challenge this Saturday in South Bend, Indiana.
The undefeated Aggies will face the one-loss Fighting Irish for the second consecutive season, after losing 23-13 at Kyle Field in 2024. In this year’s edition of the ranked non-conference battle between Elko and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, both have talented running back rooms that could be the difference-makers. Something must give between the two, however.
This presents a significant opportunity for Elko and the company to challenge the national narratives surrounding the Aggies’ inability to exceed expectations, with a roster comprising some of the most talented athletes from across the country. If Texas A&M comes out of South Bend winners, the Aggies could solidify themselves as true contenders in a Southeastern Conference with no established front-runner.
Here are five things to watch for in Texas A&M’s contest against Notre Dame that could determine the result when the clock hits zero on Saturday night:
1. How can the Aggies halt Notre Dame’s rushing attack?
The stat line of Notre Dame’s loss to Miami may not show it, but this Fighting Irish rushing attack is one of the most electric groups in college football. Last year, the unit ranked No. 3 in total rushing touchdowns (45) and No. 7 in yards per rush (5.7) nationally. Suppose the Aggies want to keep this offense off the field and prevent Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price from having a breakout performance. In that case, guys like Cashius Howell need to swarm the trenches and provide support to the Aggie offense in what will be a rowdy environment.
2. Can Marcel Reed succeed against the Fighting Irish secondary?
Sophomore quarterback Marcel Reed did not enter last year’s contest against the Fighting Irish in Bryan-College Station, but he will get his chance to make an impact and contribute to what could be a massive road win this year. Reed’s ability to read Notre Dame’s defense and find playmakers like Mario Craver and KC Concepcion will be massive against a secondary that Pro Football Focus ranked at No. 3 in the preseason secondary rankings.
3. Who will lead the Aggie wide receiving corps?
If Craver and Concepcion can continue their early success in this weekend’s battle against Notre Dame, conversations need to be had about this duo being the most dangerous wide receiving pair in the country this season. Craver’s 236 receiving yards in two games rank second in the SEC, while both he and Concepcion are tied at first with three touchdowns each so far this season. Look for them to play an integral role in fending off the talented Fighting Irish secondary.
4. How will this year’s roster perform in a hostile environment?
There’s no questioning that Notre Dame Stadium will be packed to the roof for this exciting matchup between two ranked teams Saturday night. The nationally-televised spectacle will not be the first for players like Reed, which gives the Aggies a slight edge over the Fighting Irish in terms of overall experience. However, this marks the first road contest of the season for a roster with many transfers, who will get their first taste of what it feels like to play in a hostile environment.
5. Can Elko and the Aggies avenge last year’s loss?
The short answer to this question is yes. Elko has all the talent to turn things around in College Station and avenge last year’s loss to Freeman’s Notre Dame squad, even with the 2025 rendition occurring at South Bend. If the Aggies can find ways to apply pressure on redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr and find ways to eliminate the dangerous running back room, Texas A&M will leave Notre Dame Stadium with a 3-0 record.
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: No. 16 Texas A&M vs No. 8 Notre Dame: Five things to watch for
Reporting by Dylan Flippo, Aggies Wire / Aggies Wire
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