It may sound outlandish, but if the Notre Dame Fighting Irish lose to the Texas A&M Aggies this weekend, they can probably say goodbye to any College Football Playoff hopes.
My Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame predictions and college football picks recognize that sense of desperation and see subsequent value in the home favorite.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 13.
Texas A&M vs Notre Dame predictions
Here are our early thoughts on the spread and total for this week’s game. We will have a full game preview (with a best bet and SGP) later in the week.
Early Texas A&M vs Notre Dame spread pick: Notre Dame -6.5
Preseason analytics would have set the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as about a 6.5-point home favorite in this matchup. But with one game from the Irish and two from the Texas A&M Aggies, the most updated analytics could argue for a spread closer to a field goal.
Then why does this spread continue to sit at nearly a touchdown? First of all, do not overreact to just a couple of games. Notre Dame has been too harshly downgraded for a one-possession loss at Miami, with the Irish falling by 6.1 points between the preseason SP+ ratings and the most recent.
Sharp bettors recognize Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman’s penchant for throwing the sink at an opponent in high-profile games that absolutely demand it. In last year’s Sugar Bowl win against Georgia, specific special teams choices set the Irish up to reach the Playoff semifinals.
If Notre Dame loses this game, it will be 0-2 with only one remaining chance to impress the Playoff selection committee, and that chance will hinge on USC remaining a quality opponent. At 10-2, the Irish may not have a strong Playoff claim.
Freeman knows this. Expect Notre Dame to dial up something special for Texas A&M, and that urgency could prove to be all the difference.
Early Texas A&M vs Notre Dame total pick: Under 49.5
While Texas A&M has cashed two Overs in its two games and Notre Dame eked past the total in its loss to Miami, one cannot help but think back to the season-opening matchup between these two a year ago.
Both Marcus Freeman and Mike Elko believe in building their programs with their offensive and defensive lines first, and that physical night showed it. The Irish kicked a field goal in the final minute to seal the win, but even with that, the 23-13 final score was well short of the 47.5 total.
Neither team reached 350 total yards. They combined to mount only nine quality drives on 22 total possessions, and three of those drives were courtesy of short fields.
The Aggies should enjoy better quarterback play this weekend, but the Irish may have downgraded there, at least in the short term.
Texas A&M vs Notre Dame odds
- Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame spread: Notre Dame -6.5
- Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame moneyline: Texas A&M +210, Notre Dame -260
- Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame Over/Under: 49.5
How to watch Texas A&M vs Notre Dame
- Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame matchup
- Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025, 7:30 p.m. ET
- City: Notre Dame, IN
- Venue: Notre Dame Stadium
- TV: NBC/Peacock
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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