(Left) Photo via Texas A&M Athletics; (Right) Photo via Notre Dame Athletics When Notre Dame hosts Texas A&M on Saturday evening, it will be a rematch of two defensive-minded head coaches in Marcus Freeman and Mike Elko. Freeman and the Irish survived last year’s defensive battle with a 23-13 win at College Station. No doubt Elko and the Aggies will be seeking revenge this weekend. So far, Texas A&M’s defense has played well against inferior opponents. Meanwhile, Notre Dame struggled at Miami, most notably with a lack of a pass rush, which led to coverage getting burned all game. In the young season, missed tackles seem to be a theme for both of these top-25 squads. The Aggies have 22 misses through two games, with 16 coming against the run, potentially opening some opportunity for Irish RBs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to make a big play. On the other side, the Irish defense recorded 12 missed tackles in week one, something that must be cleaned up if Notre Dame wants to remain among the elite defenses in college football. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Interior Linemen: Albert Regis (Texas A&M) - At 317 pounds, this tackle is a force against the run. Regis has registered eight tackles this season, including four big run stops. The A&M Graduate has not been as effective against the pass, recording just one QB pressure across 47 tries. Regis against Notre Dame’s interior will be a matchup to watch throughout the game. DJ Hicks (Texas A&M) - The 6-3, 295-pound tackle has not recorded a stat yet, but he has made his presence known in the pass rush. Hicks has notched four pressures on 29 pass rush attempts, including a QB hit. Notably, the junior has not had much of an impact against the run this year.  Tyler Onyedim (Texas A&M) - Arguably, the most well-rounded interior lineman for the Aggies is another 6-3, 295-pounder. Onyedim, an Iowa State transfer, has five tackles on the year, including three run stops. The grad-transfer has not been as formidable against as a pass rusher, but he has still notched three pressures, including a QB hit. Onyedim does have two missed tackles against the run this year, but he does tend to make up for his errors with big plays later. Gabriel Rubio (Notre Dame) - The 321-pounder served well against the run at Miami, but was nonexistent in his limited pass rush attempts. Rubio finished the contest with four tackles. He will face a big test this week against an elite A&M pass-blocking unit. Donovan Hinish (Notre Dame) - Another Captain who disappointed in week one, the 277-pounder was dominated against the Hurricanes' rush. Hinish recorded a tackle and QB pressure in the loss. With the Aggies bringing a dangerous and versatile running attack, the Pittsburgh native must step up his play. Others to watch: DJ Sanders (Texas A&M), Landon Rink (Texas A&M), Dealyn Evans (Texas A&M), Chace Sims (Texas A&M), Jason Onye (Notre Dame), Jared Dawson (Notre Dame) Edge Rushers: Dayon Hayes (Texas A&M) - A former Colorado and Pitt Graduate transfer, the 6-3, 264-pound edge has five tackles. Overall, Hayes has been solid, with three stops against the run and two QB pressures so far. The well-rounded DE can play off either edge.  TJ Searcy (Texas A&M) - Another transfer edge rusher, this 6-5, 255-pounder comes from Florida. Searcy has not had the start he probably imagined, with just one tackle through his first two games as an Aggie. He has shown flashes against the run, but his pass-rushing abilities are questionable with just one pressure on 31 attempts. Like Hayes, Searcy is also capable of playing off both sides of the line. Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) - While he plays more of a true outside linebacker role, Howell’s ability to get to the passer off the edge is nearly elite. Howell has five tackles and three sacks this season. The redshirt senior scored a hat trick last week when he recorded all three of his sacks on back-to-back-to-back plays. In addition, he has added eight QB pressures this year on just 39 pass rush attempts. Howell is not as impactful against the run but is still a threat. Bryce Young (Notre Dame) - The sophomore edge finished week one with three tackles, making his impact against the pass with a QB hit. Irish fans have clamored for more playing time for Young after recording just 13 pass rush snaps at Miami. Boubacar Traore (Notre Dame) - In his first game back from a torn ACL, the Boston native was one of the better Irish defenders at Miami. Traore tallied six tackles and Notre Dame’s lone sack of the game. He also added two QB pressures and had two nice run stops. Barring any setbacks, Traore looks set for his breakout year. Others to watch: Solomon Williams (Texas A&M), Sam M’Pemba (Texas A&M), Rylan Kennedy (Texas A&M), Marco Jones (Texas A&M), Junior Tuihalamaka (Notre Dame), Joshua Burnham (Notre Dame), Jordan Botelho (Notre Dame) Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Linebackers: Taurean York (Texas A&M) - The Aggies’ leading tackler is the 5-10 junior Captain. York enters this weekend with 12 tackles, including one for a loss. The interior backer finished with 10 tackles in week one against UTSA. York is one of the better cover linebackers in the SEC, having allowed four receptions for 42 yards on 10 targets this season. He has not been as clean against the run with two missed tackles, but he still has five run stops. York is definitely on track to be playing on Sundays in the next two years. Scooby Williams (Texas A&M) - The 6-2 interior backer has had a solid start to his year, recording nine tackles, 2.5 for a loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery through two weeks. On just nine pass rush attempts, Williams has tallied three QB pressures, including the sack he had last week. In addition to the sack, the LB added six tackles in the win against Utah State. Like York, Williams also has five run stops and two missed tackles against the rush, making this a solid run-stopping duo in the middle of the defense. In coverage, the senior has not been targeted much, allowing just one six-yard reception on three targets. Jaylen Sneed (Notre Dame) - The Irish LB had a quiet yet solid week one performance with three tackles at Miami. Additionally, he added a QB pressure on one of his limited pass rush attempts. Sneed was also solid in coverage, not drawing any targets in his direction. Drayk Bowen (Notre Dame) - The 6-2 defender was able to find himself consistently around the ball at Miami. While he finished second on the team with eight tackles, Bowen also led the Irish with four misses. He had two key run stops but was invisible on his limited pass rushes. In coverage, Bowen allowed just one reception on one target for a seven-yard gain. The LB Captain has to finish his tackles, especially against an A&M offense filled with elusive playmakers who will make you pay for mistakes. Others to watch: Jordan Lockhart (Texas A&M), Daymion Sanford (Texas A&M), Noah Mikhail (Texas A&M), Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (Notre Dame), Jaiden Ausberry (Notre Dame) Defensive Backs: Tyreek Chappell (Texas A&M) - The Aggies’ starting nickel back can be found at slot corner, likely matching up with Notre Dame WRs Jaden Greathouse and Will Pauling. Chappell enters the matchup with six tackles, 1.5 for a loss, and a pass defended. The redshirt senior has somewhat struggled this season, allowing seven receptions for 53 yards on eight targets. Against the run, Chappell has just one stop in addition to a missed tackle on 38 rushes. This could be a defender that the Irish offense chooses to attack frequently. Will Lee III (Texas A&M) - One of the top CBs in the SEC, the 6-1 senior has nine tackles and a pass breakup through two games. Lee has been solid against the run with four tackles. His coverage skills have been shaky to start this year, having allowed four receptions for 61 yards, including a touchdown, on nine targets. Regardless, I would not recommend consistently targeting the man known as “The Blanket” around College Station. Dezz Ricks (Texas A&M) - Opposite of Lee is the 6-1 redshirt sophomore and former Alabama transfer. Ricks has been solid in coverage so far, with no catches allowed on four targets. He has recorded one tackle and a pass breakup this season. The CB also has a missed tackle. Ricks has not had an impact against the run so far this year. Julio Humphrey (Texas A&M) - Another wide corner, the Georgia transfer is a 6-1 redshirt junior. It appears Humphrey’s decision to transfer has paid off, as he is seeing regular playing time for the first time in his college career. He has four tackles this season and did not allow a reception on his lone target of the year. Humphrey has also been solid against the run with two tackles, including a stop. Bryce Anderson (Texas A&M) - The Aggies’ safety, a 5-10 senior, has six tackles on the year but also leads the team with four misses. Anderson has been okay in coverage, allowing two receptions on two targets for 13 yards. Against the run, he has four tackles, including two stops; however, this is also where he has recorded three of his missed tackles. Marcus Ratcliffe (Texas A&M) - The other starting safety for the Aggies is the 6-2 junior and former San Diego State transfer. This season, Ratcliffe has nine tackles, one for a loss, and a team-high two pass breakups. He has been solid in coverage, allowing just 10 yards on three receptions across four targets. Against the run, Ratcliffe has made two stops on three tackles. He has two missed tackles on the year. The Notre Dame offense should try to target Ratcliffe early and get a sense of how truly capable he is against more talented receiving threats compared to the last two weeks. If Ratcliffe proves to be legit, then pivot to a different pass plan. Christian Gray (Notre Dame) - Miami’s passing game plan appeared to be target number six as he finished with three tackles and two pass breakups on the stat sheet. Gray struggled in coverage all night, allowing seven receptions for 64 yards on 12 targets. On Miami’s game-winning drive, Gray was called for a 15-yard pass interference call that moved the ball into the Hurricanes’ territory. The Irish CB needs to be better, as Miami’s Joshua Moore, Malachi Toney, Keelan Marion, and Jojo Trader are likely not going to be the best WRs he lines up against this season. Adon Shuler (Notre Dame) - Another Irish DB that struggled at Miami, the safety finished the contest with two tackles. Shuler was a negative against the run with two missed tackles against the Hurricanes' ball-carriers. The six-footer was solid in coverage, avoiding being targeted; however, he did fail to make a play on CJ Daniels’s one-handed touchdown, which was not a great look.  Leonard Moore (Notre Dame) - The star CB did not perform up to standards in week one, tallying three tackles, two of which came against the run. Moore was brutal in coverage, allowing five catches on seven targets for 50 yards, including a touchdown, while not recording a pass breakup. Miami’s CJ Daniels had Moore’s number in the Irish loss, and the CB should be anxious to get back on the field and put that performance behind him. DeVonta Smith (Notre Dame) - A non-factor in week one, the Alabama transfer will look to make an impact this week. Smith finished with one tackle and was invisible against the run in his limited attempts. In coverage, the nickelback was fine, allowing one catch for seven yards on two targets.   Jalen Stroman (Notre Dame) - The Irish safety led the team in week one with nine tackles, including two assisted tackles against the run. Stroman was called upon to clean up others' coverage mistakes, doing most of his work chasing down open Miami receivers. He allowed an eight-yard reception on his lone target. Like Bowen, Stroman always seemed to be around the ball. Others to watch: Dalton Brooks (Texas A&M),   Bravion Rogers (Texas A&M), Jordan Shaw (Texas A&M), Jayvon Thomas (Texas A&M), Adonyss Currie (Texas A&M), Myles Davis (Texas A&M), Jarred Kerr (Texas A&M), Tae Johnson (Notre Dame), Karson Hobbs (Notre Dame), Luke Talich (Notre Dame), Dallas Golden (Notre Dame), Mark Zackery IV (Notre Dame) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! 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Tradition is often overused, but in South Bend, it holds a different meaning. You hear it in the band on a freezing Saturday, you feel it when the house that Rockne Built shakes on 3rd down, and you see it in the quiet of the grotto when the crowd’s gone. That’s not a marketing pitch, that’s life at Notre Dame. That’s why this fall, The Irish Tribune is proud to partner with Ebbets Field , a brand built on the same love for legacy that defines Notre Dame. Since 1988, they’ve been preserving history with the kind of detail that makes old jerseys, jackets, and ballcaps worth pulling out of the attic. Their Notre Dame gear doesn’t just nod to tradition, it carries it forward. Rooted in Craft Most apparel companies are busy chasing the next drop. Ebbets looks to the past to create new classics. Heavy cotton, thick wool, leather sleeves that break in like an old mitt, chenille patches stitched just the way they used to be. When you put one on, it doesn’t feel new. It feels familiar, like something passed down. They’ve already paid tribute to some of the sport’s biggest names this fall: Harvard, Yale, Penn State, Michigan, Texas A&M, UNC, and UConn. Now, Notre Dame takes its rightful spot in the lineup. The Collegiate Collection Ebbets’ newest launch, The Collegiate Collection , digs straight into the roots of college athletics. It’s not about flash or gimmicks. This is gear built to last. The sweatshirt that holds up on freezing gamedays, the varsity jacket you’ll never part with, the cap that feels broken-in the second you put it on. For Irish fans, the centerpiece is clear: the Notre Dame Wool and Leather Varsity Jacket, the same style worn by Irish legends and immortalized on screen in the blockbuster Rudy . Pair it with a ballcap stitched with the old-gold ND, and you’ve got the kind of look that says you don’t just cheer for the Irish, you carry them with you. Other standouts in the collection include a 1948 Yale Wool Ballcap celebrating a Bulldog baseball title run and a 1940 Harvard Shawl Collar Sweater, the kind a young JFK might have slipped on after class. That’s the sweet spot for Ebbets, reviving pieces that carry the past into the present. The Varsity Jacket Few items in sportswear carry the weight of history like a varsity jacket . For Notre Dame, it is woven into the fabric of championship lore. The Authentic Wool and Leather Varsity Jacket from Ebbets is a faithful reproduction of what the Irish wore in 1966 when Ara Parseghian’s team stormed to the school’s eighth national title. That defense, captained by Maxwell Award winner Jim Lynch, surrendered only 38 points all season and recorded six shutouts. Terry Hanratty’s offense piled on enough firepower to keep Notre Dame at the top of the nation. When you picture Irish champions from that era, this is the jacket that comes to mind. It is built with a navy wool body, navy cowhide sleeves, and gold chenille lettering stretched across the back. The clover patch on the chest and the quilted lining complete the look. Made in the USA, it feels less like new merchandise and more like something pulled straight out of a South Bend locker room in the Parseghian era. The Heavyweight Crewneck Notre Dame’s last national championship came in 1988. Lou Holtz’s Irish went 12-0, capped by the 31-30 upset of top-ranked Miami in what is still remembered as one of the greatest games in NCAA history. That season remains a modern high point for the program. The Heavyweight Cotton Terry Crewneck  taps directly into that era. Inspired by sweatshirts from the 1980s, this piece is cut from thick grey cotton terry and features a vintage Notre Dame graphic pulled from the archives. Ribbed details and a classic oversized fit make it feel like the originals students wore across campus that year. It is a sweatshirt that does not just look the part. It carries the memory of the last time Notre Dame stood at the top of the college football world. The Varsity Cardigan Before varsity jackets became the standard, sweaters set the tone. The style first appeared on Harvard’s baseball team in 1865 and quickly spread across American campuses. By the 1940s, Notre Dame had made it its own during one of the greatest decades in program history. Four national titles, two Heisman winners, and a perfect season in 1949 defined the Golden Age of Irish football. The Varsity Cardigan  from Ebbets recreates that look. Knit from heavyweight cotton yarn in a chunky gauge, it features two-hole urethane buttons and a chenille “ND” patch sewn on the chest. This piece pulls you straight back to the 1940s, when Notre Dame ruled college football. The Grounds Crew Jacket Not every champion wears a jersey. Some work behind the scenes to make sure the field is ready for battle. The Cotton Grounds Crew Jacket  pays tribute to those workers at Notre Dame Stadium, especially during Ara Parseghian’s 1966 national title season. That year, Jim Lynch captained a defense that gave up only 38 points all season and delivered six shutouts at home. The players left the trophies, but the grounds crew left the canvas. This jacket honors them. Made from durable cotton twill with a soft lining, this piece features a zip front, a chest pocket, side-entry hand pockets, and felt lettering across the chest and back. Adjustable hem tabs finish the workwear look. It is a rugged layer with roots in utility and a place in Notre Dame’s story. The 1943 Ballcap In 1943, Notre Dame claimed its fourth national championship and first under Frank Leahy. Quarterback Angelo Bertelli won the Heisman Trophy that season while the Irish outscored opponents 341 to 69. The Dome yearbook summed it up best: football had become synonymous with the name of Notre Dame. The 1943 Authentic Wool 8-Panel Ballcap  honors that year. Hand-sewn from navy wool broadcloth, it features an embroidered old-gold ND on the crown, a green satin under visor, and vintage construction details inside. A leather strap with a brass closure ensures a fit that will last. This is not a souvenir. It is a cap that connects directly to one of the most important seasons in Notre Dame football history. The Leprechaun Ballcap The Notre Dame Leprechaun is one of the most iconic mascots in sports. First appearing on the sidelines in 1960 and officially designed by sports artist Theodore Drake in 1964 for fifty dollars, the image has become a global symbol of Irish pride. The Leprechaun Authentic Wool Ballcap  is built to honor that legacy. Made from navy wool broadcloth, it features an embroidered felt patch of the Fighting Irish mascot, a green satin under visor, and vintage construction inside. The adjustable leather strap and brass closure make it as practical as it is authentic. It is more than headwear. It is a celebration of an icon who has been standing with the Irish for more than sixty years. The 1956 Baseball Jersey Notre Dame’s legacy extends beyond the gridiron. In 1956, catcher and co-captain Elmer Kohorst became the first Irish baseball All-American, leading the team to a fourth-place College World Series finish a year later. The 1956 Authentic Wool Baseball Jersey  is a replica of the jerseys worn by the players of that era. The home set comes in cream flannel , while the road version is heathered grey . “Notre Dame” is stitched in navy and gold felt across the chest, with the number 42 on the back. Japanese urea buttons finish the classic look. This is not just a throwback. It is a reminder that Notre Dame tradition has been written on diamonds as well as football fields. The Satin Windbreaker Step back into the 1950s and '60s. Coaches pacing the sidelines in crisp satin, wind cutting across the stadium, Irish football at the height of its mystique. The University of Notre Dame Satin Windbreaker captures that look, a vintage-inspired coach’s jacket that shines like the Golden Dome. Made from navy satin with a cotton backing, it features a gold-on-navy ND patch on the chest, an embroidered Fighting Irish mascot on the sleeve, and bold “IRISH” lettering across the back. Heavy-duty snaps and front slash pockets finish the build. Available in navy or green , the jacket brings back a style that once defined Irish sidelines and lets you wear it into the modern day. For Fans Who Believe in Legacy Legends don’t fade at Notre Dame. They’re in the songs, the murals, the helmets glinting under the lights. Ebbets understands that, and this collection reflects it. Check out the full collegiate collection line at  ebbets.com  and follow  @ ebbetsvintage . The echoes of the Fighting Irish live on. And now, the style does too.

Photo via Notre Dame Athletics The 16th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies travel to South Bend for a primetime matchup with the 8th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Aggies enter the rematch from last season 2-0, with a 42-24 win against UTSA and a 44-22 victory against Utah State, both at home. Notre Dame seeks to avenge a week one 27-24 loss at Miami in their home opener on Saturday. Notre Dame’s defense will have its hands full against a dangerous Aggies offense. Before the season, the talk around Texas A&M was that if QB Marcel Reed takes the next step as a passer, they could be a legitimate threat in the SEC and CFP. So far, Reed looks like he has taken that step. While the Aggies' passing game has improved, they make their money on the ground with one of the best rushing units in the country. The dual-threat Reed and skilled RB Le’Veon Moss can run loose behind an experienced and elite line featuring two strong tackles and one of the best guards in the nation, who are all on track to be future NFL Draft selections. Since the start of the 2024 season, Texas A&M is 7-0 when they rush for over 170 yards compared to 3-5 when they do not hit that number. Keeping the Aggies contained on the ground will be vital to any defensive success for the Irish. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Quarterbacks: Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) -  The Aggies go as their starter goes. Reed provided a spark for this offense last season after replacing Conner Weigman, showcasing his athleticism, but he had his struggles as a passer. Many believe he has the talent surrounding him to succeed with what is projected to be one of the top rushing units in the country. So far, the redshirt sophomore has looked vastly improved in the passing department, completing 66.1% of his attempts for 509 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions. With his legs, the 6-1 QB leads the Aggies with 105 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, providing defenses lots of trouble as a true dual-threat. Reed has not faced much pressure in his first two games, so causing chaos up front could be a key for the Irish defense. CJ Carr (Notre Dame) - In his first career start, the redshirt freshman was a bright spot amongst a lot of lowlights. Despite poor pass blocking up front, Carr looked poised while completing 19/30 pass attempts for 221 yards and two touchdowns, along with an interception. He stepped up late, leading a three-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game with 3:21 remaining. On the game-tying drive, Carr fended off the Miami defender in his face and connected with a wide-open Eli Raridon for 65 yards before capping the drive with a seven-yard QB draw touchdown. The Michigan native showcased his ability to run multiple times, finishing with 11 carries for 26 yards, including the game-tying score. Carr will be tested this week against a talented A&M secondary, increasing the need for improved offensive line play. Running Backs: Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M) - The Aggies’ OC, Collin Klein, has not really opened up the run game yet this season, letting Reed settle as a passer against weaker opponents. However, Texas A&M’s two-headed attack at RB, led by Moss, has flashed. The senior has averaged 6.7 yards per carry for 87 yards and a touchdown this year. Last week, Moss rushed for 68 yards, 48 of which came after contact, on 10 carries, including a 21-yard score featuring multiple broken tackles. At 5-11 and 210 pounds, the runner does not fear contact and favors running up the middle. Rueben Owens II (Texas A&M) - When Moss inevitably enters the NFL following this season, the Aggies already have their next lead back with the similarly built 5-11, 215-pound redshirt sophomore. Through the first two games, Owens has averaged 6.4 yards per carry for 77 yards on 12 carries. He has also added two receptions for 12 yards, with one catch in each game. Notre Dame’s front faces a tall task in containing these two talented backs, in addition to the threat of Reed’s rushing ability. Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) - A victim of a poor game plan, the Irish star RB received just 10 carries in week one, rushing for 33 yards. It was nice to see Love was able to at least get involved in the pass game, totaling 26 yards on four receptions. With just one first down earned and a longest run of eight yards, Notre Dame needs to get the ball to Love more often, and he should realistically be the focal point of the offense. It is malpractice to use someone of his caliber as a decoy in one of the biggest games of the season. Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) - Up until his fumble, which Carr was able to recover, the Irish’s second-string back impressed, averaging 7.5 yards per carry on six attempts for 45 yards. Price’s 30-yard run in the second quarter helped set up an Irish touchdown that tied the game at seven. Both Notre Dame RBs should be in line for a bigger day this week against a weaker, yet still talented, rush defense. Others to watch: Amari Daniels (Texas A&M), Jamarion Morrow (Texas A&M), EJ Smith (Texas A&M), Aneyas Williams (Notre Dame) Receivers: KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) - The North Carolina State transfer has made an immediate impact in College Station. Concepcion enters Saturday as the Aggies' second-leading receiver with nine catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Last week, the versatile weapon hauled in six receptions, including two scores, for 73 yards. In week one, Concepcion took a five-yard route for a 31-yard score and added an 80-yard punt return touchdown. The 5-11 threat does most of his damage out of the slot, but did spend an increased amount of time out wide in last week’s game, likely due to the emergence of Mario Craver. Mario Craver (Texas A&M) - The 5’9 sophomore has emerged as a real threat for the Aggies, already nearly matching his season totals from a year ago at Mississippi State. Craver currently leads his team with 13 receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns. With back-to-back performances featuring at least five catches, 114 yards, and a score, the Irish DBs will have their hands full with the Aggies slot-man. Last week, Craver nearly reached 22 MPH on a 72-yard touchdown, showcasing his elite top-end speed. His abilities make him a threat both over the top and behind the line of scrimmage. Ashton Bethel-Roman (Texas A&M) - A big play threat out wide, the six-foot redshirt freshman has hauled in just four catches for 68 yards this season. Last week, Bethel-Roman finished with 48 yards on three receptions against Utah State; however, he also had two drops. The young WR still has some developing to do, but the Irish secondary should be wary of Bethel-Roman. Terry Bussey (Texas A&M) - Another young wideout, the 5-10 sophomore will make defenders miss whenever he touches the ball. Bussey enters this weekend with five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown, fresh off a 55-yard performance on four receptions, including a score against Utah State. This is the type of receiver that will burn the Irish defense if they come out playing the same soft coverage they utilized against Miami. Bussey also serves as the Aggies’ return man, averaging an impressive 39 yards per kickoff return on four attempts and 16 yards per punt return on three tries. Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) - Following a lost fumble midway through the first quarter, the Irish wideout settled down, finishing with three catches on three targets for 48 yards, including a nice 26-yard snag over a Miami CB. Fields should be utilized consistently as a deep threat, as he showcased during his time at Virginia. Jaden Greathouse (Notre Dame) - A shutout after being one of the stars during last season’s CFP run was not on my bingo card. Greathouse was targeted just twice, failing to record a catch against Miami. If the ball is not going to get into this slot’s hands, then there is no real upside to having him on the field. Coach Denbrock must figure out a way to involve Greathouse this week. Will Pauling (Notre Dame) - Another ghost in the loss at Miami was Notre Dame’s newest slot option from Wisconsin, who was not targeted in the game. The Captain was another victim of Denbrock’s game plan, receiving 21 offensive snaps. Out of the slot, Pauling offers more than Greathouse as a blocker, but it would be nice to see the duo involved in the pass game more throughout the season. Jordan Faison (Notre Dame) - Arguably, the best-looking receiver in the defeat at Miami was the two-sport athlete. Faison finished with five catches on six targets for 33 yards, including an easy two-yard touchdown to open the fourth quarter. The shifty wideout serves well as a screen option, but Denbrock’s reliance on this option ultimately cost Carr his first career interception when the Hurricanes perfectly read the Irish offense on the quick pass attempt to Faison. Others to watch: TK Norman (Texas A&M), Izaiah Williams (Texas A&M), Kelshaun Johnson (Texas A&M), Micah Gilbert (Notre Dame), KK Smith (Notre Dame) Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Tight Ends: Theo Melin Öhrström (Texas A&M) - At 6-6 and 257 pounds, the Swedish TE offers as a receiving threat. Amongst a solid TE room, Öhrström has emerged as the leader early this season. He enters with five catches for 39 yards, including a one-yard touchdown in week one. Öhrström will not beat the defense over the top, but his body control allows him to sit and haul in catches right in front of defenders. The redshirt junior is a below-average run-blocker.  Eli Raridon (Notre Dame) - The Irish’s leading receiver and Carr’s top target two weeks ago, Raridon had himself a nice outing against Miami, finishing with five catches for 95 yards, including a big 65-yard gain. However, his two drops did hurt Notre Dame’s offense and were uncharacteristic of Raridon. He also had his share of struggles as a run blocker, including a holding call that erased a highlight-worthy first down rush from Love. If Raridon can continue to have a positive impact in the pass game, he will be serving his purpose. Others to watch: Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M), Amari Niblack (Texas A&M), Micah Riley (Texas A&M), Kiotti Armstrong (Texas A&M), Ty Washington (Notre Dame), Jack Larsen (Notre Dame) Offense Lines: LT Trey Zuhn III, LG Chase Bisontis, C Mark Nabou/Koli Faaiu, RG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, RT Dametrious Crownover (Texas A&M) - The fact that Notre Dame’s pass rush was as unexciting as possible at Miami does not exactly bode well when one of the best pass-blocking units in the country is next on your schedule. Through two weeks, QB Reed has been pressured on just 17.6% of his dropbacks and taken one sack. On the left side, Zuhn and Bisontis are returning starters who have combined for 49 starts over the previous two seasons. C Nabou returned this year after suffering a season-ending torn MCL in last season’s opener against the Irish. On the right, Reed-Adams and Crownover both started each game last year, and the RG has drawn praise as one of the top offensive linemen in the SEC. LT Anthonie Knapp, LG Billy Schrauth, C Ashton Craig, RG Guerby Lambert/Sullivan Absher, RT Aamil Wagner (Notre Dame) - This group has a lot to prove this week after being dominated for four quarters at Miami. The pass blocking effort was poor, allowing three combined sacks and 11 QB pressures. The run blocking was also ineffective most of the night, leading to 93 total rushing yards on 3.3 yards per carry, a drastic difference from a year ago. Texas A&M’s front seven should not provide as many issues as Miami; however, they have the talent to cause chaos if this Irish line does not show any improvement. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Photo by Texas A&M Athletics Mike Elko, who was the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame in 2017, is one of the highest-regarded coaches in the country when it comes to that side of the ball. Although Texas A&M's defense was solid in 2024, I think he would be the first to say they did not entirely live up to the standards he wants to set. Now, in year two of his system, I am expecting a big jump from that group, and Notre Dame should be as well. We already went over some things to look for from Texas A&M's offense. Now, let's flip it to the other side of the ball and discuss what the Fighting Irish could be facing from A&M's defense when they come to town. Premium article offer: Get one month of Tribune+ for only $1 with code TRYBLUE. Subscribe below to access this film breakdown:

On Monday, Notre Dame football released its updated injury report for the upcoming Notre Dame-Texas A&M game on Saturday, September 13th, at 7:30 pm ET at Notre Dame Stadium. Each player has their injury and game impact listed below. Game impact inputs are all opinion-based and are not official. There were no additional injuries listed for Notre Dame-Texas A&M as of 9/8/25, with the exception of Athlete Shane Gillis (#00) no longer listed as unavailable. It seems Gillis has recovered from his devastating tailgating injury and looks forward to this weekend's game (Likely from afar). I have, however, upgraded Charles Jagusah's injury impact from moderate to major as Notre Dame continues to figure out its offensive strategy and execution leading up to its matchup with the Aggies. Out for the game: Player Injury Impact TE Justin Fisher Right knee Minimal TE Cooper Flanagan Left achilles Moderate OL Devan Houstan Left knee Minimal OL Charles Jagusah Left arm Major OL Peter Jones Left Ankle Minimal Out for the season: Player Injury Impact TE Kevin Bauman Left knee Moderate RB Dylan Devezin Left shoulder Minimal S Brandon Logan Left shoulder Minimal RB Kedren Young Right knee Minimal Which injury do you think will have the biggest impact on Notre Dame's ability to win in their home-opener? Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle   here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Click here  to join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Photo by Texas A&M Athletics It's officially A&M week, which means Notre Dame has another big-time opportunity to notch a quality win and start their push towards another postseason appearance. The bye week coming after the Miami loss gave the coaching staff a chance to reset and attack some of the glaring issues that came out of that week 1 disappointment. Whether enough improvement can be made from game 1 to game 2 to steady the ship remains to be seen, but Marcus Freeman will certainly have his guys fired up for their home opener vs a semi-familiar opponent. After opening the year in College Station a season ago, Notre Dame invites an A&M team to South Bend that has bigger picture goals for themselves as well. Mike Elko's squad is coming off an 8-4 regular season campaign and returns one of the more experienced teams in the country, looking to break through in a tough SEC. I went through A&M's film, and there are some concerns and some things Notre Dame could take advantage of, so let's get into both in the breakdown below. Premium article: Get one month of Tribune+ for only $1 with code TRYBLUE. Subscribe below to access this film breakdown:

Marcus Freeman addressed the media following the loss to Miami as the Irish prepare to welcome Texas A&M to South Bend. Photo by Irish Tribune Notre Dame is coming off a rare early-season bye week and the sting of a season-opening road loss at Miami. Marcus Freeman stepped up to the podium on Monday, knowing he’d need to answer for both. His message to the team, and to the fans: the Irish have to grow from it. Learning From Miami Freeman didn’t sugarcoat the opener. When asked what stood out on film, he ran through a laundry list: takeaways, ball security, tackling, third-down execution, short yardage, two-minute situations, and even how the team started each half. “ The team that plays harder, longer is usually the one that’s successful. Look at the last drive of the game, defensively and offensively. Not a lack of effort, but a lack of execution. ” That failure to finish is what still gnaws at him. Freeman admitted the locker room was “disappointed, frustrated,” but his emphasis all week was turning that emotion into work. “ First thing you want to do after you lose is to go play again, ” he said, but the bye week forced delayed gratification. Instead, the focus shifted to “ evaluating all three phases of the game ” and attacking weaknesses in practice. “ We worked on the things we didn’t do so well and worked on enhancing the things we did do well, ” Freeman said. He returned to the theme again and again: improving, elevating, and moving the program closer to its full potential. Quarterback Development All eyes are on CJ Carr after his debut as a first-time starter. Freeman made it clear that the staff was intentional about protecting him early in his first career start. “ I was vocal about giving him easy reads, easy throws. Let’s not just tell him to bomb the ball down the field every play. ” Still, Freeman believes Carr is ready to run the whole offense. “ CJ can execute the entire game plan, the entire playbook. He’s a special player. ” How that balance looks going forward depends in large part on getting the ball into the hands of star running back Jeremiyah Love and when to air it out. “ We want to focalize our offense around J-Love, he’s a special player, but at the same point we’ve got to make sure that we’re taking advantage of what each defense is trying to do to us. ” Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Defensive Adjustments New coordinator Chris Ash is still settling in, and Freeman admitted the execution was lacking. “ We gotta be able to get four-man pass rush pressure on the QB, and we all know we didn’t get enough of that last week. ” There were also moments, he conceded, when defenders seemed “paralyzed” by Miami’s looks. His bottom line: it’s not a schematic issue, it’s an execution issue. And that, he stressed, falls on the coaching staff to fix. Offensive Line and Captains Freeman called the offensive line solid, but not up to standard: “ Overall, they played well, but the standard is to play higher. ” He was quick to say he’s as confident in that group “as anybody on our team.” He also praised the leadership in the locker room. “ I couldn’t be more proud of the way our captains lead. I don’t want the title of captain to be associated with production at all; I want the title of captain to be associated with leadership. ” Drayk Bowen and the Linebackers One of the defense’s most visible struggles came at linebacker, where Drayk Bowen admitted he didn’t meet his own standard against Miami. Freeman backed him up but emphasized Bowen’s growth: “ He’s been a guy that’s constantly improved from the minute he stepped on campus till now. ” Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle  here! Looking Ahead to Texas A&M Now the challenge is immediate: Texas A&M rolls into South Bend this weekend. Freeman didn’t hesitate to praise their roster. “ On offense, they’re a veteran group led by their O-line. Really good QB that can hurt you with both his legs and his arm. Deep, deep running back room. Fast and talented skill on their offense. ” “ Defensively, it starts with their D-line. They got guys on all three levels that are talented and productive. ” Freeman remembers last year’s matchup under Mike Elko and Collin Klein, but stressed this is a different Aggies team. “ Some similarities, some core principles that we know we’ll see, but there’s some adjustments that we’re gonna have to be able to make. ” The bye week gave Notre Dame the chance to regroup and heal, but also put the pressure squarely on execution. Freeman wants aggression to replace hesitation: “ We have to have that mentality of not just trying to be perfect, but being aggressive and playing the game with the velocity that overcomes any mistakes. ” A Lighter Moment The press conference closed on a lighter note, as Freeman was asked about comedian Shane Gillis, who’s been a vocal supporter and even filmed a skit with the team before the season. “ Shane’s an awesome human. We appreciate the support. It’s always good to have someone like Shane Gillis support you guys, helps you in recruiting, makes us kind of cool, I guess, ” closing with a chuckle and a classic Freeman grin.  Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @thatconnorregan on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle   here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

While Notre Dame is currently in the midst of a bye week after their loss to Miami, here are a few players they will need to turn their attention to ahead of their matchup against Texas A&M. Photo via Texas A&M Athletics Marcel Reed - Quarterback In last year's season-opener, Texas A&M's starting QB was Conner Weigman, a highly recruited player who never seemed to find his footing in College Station. In that same season, Weigman would get replaced by, at the time, freshman QB Marcel Reed. Reed immediately gave the Aggies a new look at the position with his elite athleticism. Reed would go on to lead the Aggies to a chance to go to the SEC Championship, but they fell short in the last game of the season against Texas. This season, Reed appears to be picking up right where he left off. In week one, Reed went 22 of 34 for 289 yards and four touchdowns, a great stat line for a player who can be just as dangerous with his legs. That will be the key for the Irish defense, which looked out of sorts against Miami. Reed has the speed and elusiveness to consistently make big plays on the ground, especially on third downs. It will be critical for Notre Dame to keep him contained to the pocket, and they may even need a spy to keep him from breaking plays loose on the ground. If Reed's arm has developed from last year, it will make it that much harder to do so. Even if Reed has developed his passing game, Notre Dame will want to make him a passer, as it is his legs that will be the hardest to contain. Reed is just one of those players who can be a nightmare to play against. The key for Notre Dame's defense is to try to make the game predictable, as Reed is at his best when he has the chance to improvise. Reed is young, however, so throwing unique blitzes and coverages at him may be effective, something Chris Ash failed to do against Miami. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Kevin "KC" Concepcion - Wide Receiver After a few productive years at NC State, KC Concepcion is already the Aggies' most electric playmaker on a very talented offense. During his best season at NC State, in 2023, he filled the stat sheet with his ability to make plays as a receiver and running back. In that season, he caught 71 passes for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns. To add to that already impressive stat line, he also had 41 carries for 320 yards. Concepcion is a dynamic and explosive playmaker who puts pressure on any defense he goes against. He does this first with his great route-running. Concepcion possesses elite body control, footwork, and elusiveness that enable him to create excellent separation from coverage. Once he has the ball, Concepcion uses his explosive speed and impressive vision to become a dangerous ball carrier with the ability to turn a small gain into a home-run play. He is going to be a huge test for this Irish defense. They have to not only know where he is at all times in coverage, but they also need to make sure they get him down quickly, before he has the chance to find open space or make a man miss. Concepcion was one of the most desired players in the portal this offseason, a perfect acquisition for an Aggie offense that needed to become more explosive compared to last year. Concepcion immediately fixes that problem while giving Reed a reliable target to throw to. Taurean York - Linebacker Now in his third season, Taurean York is one of the most talented players A&M has and one of the most important, too. York has started in every game of his college career. As a freshman, he instantly stood out, earning him a spot on the freshman All-American team. Since then, York has become a captain and the leader of a defensive unit that could become stifling under Mike Elko. Although undersized, York makes his presence felt in every game. Instead of overwhelming size, he uses his speed, football IQ, and anticipation to make big plays for the Aggies. York is one of those players who always seems to be where the ball is, a testament to his work ethic and feel for the game. He can be a huge problem for a Notre Dame run game that will want to get going in this game. York has a real knack for getting into the backfield to make big tackles, already recording 19.5 tackles for loss in his college career. That will be the real matchup for York and the Notre Dame offense. York is an excellent run-stopper going against one of the best running back rooms in the country. Last year, Notre Dame was able to win the run game, but York and this Aggie defense will surely be ready this year. With some real questions at the offensive line for the Irish, York may be able to take advantage and get into the backfield for TFLs or sacks. Either way, Mike Denbrock and Notre Dame's offense will need to be prepared for York and everything he can do to affect a game. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join

While Notre Dame's loss to Miami was gut-wrenching, the Irish still have plenty of hope and time before fans can hit the panic button. Notre Dame's Sunday night loss to Miami was certainly a disappointing affair that raised both hope and concern for the upcoming season. The promise of a rising star quarterback and the lack of defensive physicality highlighted each end of the spectrum. Many will over-exaggerate the loss, and yes, there is plenty to fix, but ultimately, it took a Top 10 team at home: +2 in the turnover battle, a miraculous one-handed TD catch, and a 47-yard game-winning field goal to sink the Irish. Notre Dame will be fine. However, this week's IDLE for Notre Dame will be an interesting one to maneuver. While other schools get the momentum of working forward after starting the season, the Irish have to go back to practice mode with an early week two bye. With tons of practice, mostly along the offensive and defensive line, this could ultimately benefit the Irish. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle As Texas A&M strolls into South Bend in a week, the Aggies will do so with a revamped offense from a year ago. Marcel Reed has continued to develop as a passer, which can be attributed to an increased wide receiving core that features two premier transfers, Mario Craver and KC Conception. However, in the Aggies' week one victory against UTSA, the Texas A&M defense did struggle to defend the Roadrunners' rushing attack. UTSA's running back, Robert Henry Jr. rushed for 177 yards and two touchdowns. After the Miami game plan that drew much heat, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will almost certainly feed the Irish backfield more. Redshirt Freshman CJ Carr is now acquainted in the offense, the Irish will be in a controlled setting at home, and Notre Dame, hopefully, won't be playing from behind the entire game. This recipe equals a heavy workload for Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. While still playing into the run, the Irish also need to utilize play action passing into the offense. Carr has already shown his prowess in his intermediate to downfield passing, so if you feature Love and Price more in the offense, more holes will open on the backend. While still focusing on the task at hand, Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman have already established their ability to bounce back from a disappointing loss. There is no question that Freeman has been all-in to figure out what went wrong in Miami, and his post-game speech last Sunday does nothing but confirm that thought. For reference, in last year's CFP, there were seven two-loss teams that made the playoff. The Irish can certainly bounce back from a three-point week one loss on the road to the No. 10 team in the country. It is just a matter of playing into the team's strengths to maximize their true potential. As troubling as it may seem, this season's roster, that is arguably the most loaded in Freeman's tenure, enters a do-or-die game next week, because an 0-2 start, even with respectable losses, is one that will be difficult to overcome. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @ LiamFarrell_IT  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle   here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Photo by The Irish Tribune Disappointing would be an understated way of describing Notre Dame's offensive line play in Week 1 vs Miami. Joe Rudolph will need to spend the bye week searching for answers because his unit, which was widely talked about as one of the best position groups in the country, certainly did not live up to that standard, and will have a Texas A&M team coming into South Bend with revenge on their mind. I went back to the All-22 and watched every rep for the O-line, and there are more than a few things that need to be fixed. Offer: Try Tribune+ for $1 with code TRYBLUE  to get your first month for only $1 and access this article along with future All-22 breakdowns, intel, and our Notre Dame community. Subscribe here.

Turnovers, inconsistencies, and poor game planning derail No. 6 Notre Dame against No. 10 Miami, as the Irish fall 27-24. Photo by The Irish Tribune MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - Marcus Freeman has always preached the importance of the middle eight, the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes in the second half. The Irish were outscored 14-0 during that stretch tonight and was ultimately too big of a gap to withstand. Miami's back-to-back touchdown drives to end the first half and open the second half put the Irish down 21-7. That score would eventually hold until the fourth quarter as the Irish got the game back to a one-possession affair thanks to a Jordan Faison touchdown. After a consecutive stop on the following Miami series, Notre Dame had the ball down by one score with the opportunity to tie the game. CJ Carr threw a wide receiver screen that got tipped three times before a Hurricane defensive end would intercept the pass. A Miami field goal would open the game back to two scores and seem to put the Irish away. However, Notre Dame followed up the interception with two improbable scoring drives, one, a three-play, 75-yard series to tie the game at 24-24. In the end, the Miami offense that fell asleep for most of the 2nd half resurrected and set up field goal kicker Carter Davis, for a go-ahead 47-yard kick that would end the Irish's heroic comeback bid. Here are a few immediate thoughts about the game: Let Carr Rip It For as highly regarded as offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is, his game plan tonight for the Fighting Irish was simply subpar. There were far too many passes near the line-of-scrimmage and a lack of creativity to give Jeremiyah Love the football. The sole possession that Jadarian Price was in the game, he was extremely affective while running the ball. Price ended the game with 45 rushing yards. While the lack of rushing attempts could be attributed to the nature that Notre Dame was playing from behind, Denbrock must find a way to adjust the play-calling and play to the strengths of this team. The biggest strength being Jeremiyah Love, but also, the downfield passing prowess of Carr. In this game alone, Carr showed tremendous poise keeping his head downfield and finding an open receiver. Carr finished the game with 221 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle! Tough Introduction to Chris Ash This Notre Dame defense looked lost for most of the night. Players out of position. People not understanding the play call. The whole operation felt off, especially to what most Fighting Irish fans are accustomed to with Al Golden running the show. The biggest killer for the Irish defense was the inability to stop the run, coupled with the true freshman slot wide receiver, Malachi Toney, absolutely carving up the Irish. The secondary continuously was rotating during the first half as well. I'm not sure if that was due to fatigue from being on the field for the majority of the game, or whether or not the coaching staff wanted to keep switching its players. All things considered; the defense had a very poor showing. Dominated on Both Sides of the Line of Scrimmage As previously mentioned, both sides of the line of scrimmage were simply overmatched in this game. Part of the reason the Notre Dame running backs struggled was because of the constant pressure administered by the Miami front seven. This offensive line, that was highly touted, was getting bullied off the ball and was being pushed into the backfield. From a whole coaching perspective, the Irish have two weeks to reconsider and go back to the drawing board before facing an equally physical Texas A&M team. While it was a disappointing fate tonight, the Irish still have plenty of room for growth and potential as the season continues on. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @ LiamFarrell_IT  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle   here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today! Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame is just one of two “power” programs to have a bye week following their first game of the year. We examine whether the early bye will have a positive or negative impact: Photo by The Irish Tribune Following a deflating loss at Miami, many around the program believe this bye is coming at the right time. If the Irish had won on Sunday, perhaps the tune would be different. The only Power Four program following this schedule is TCU, which would be tasked with a very short week after its big win at North Carolina on Monday. Unlike TCU, which has Big 12 Championship aspirations, Notre Dame benefits from a built-in extra week of rest during Conference Championship week. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Given the circumstances, let’s review the positives of this early bye week: Miami showed that Notre Dame has serious issues to fix. Unfortunately for the Irish, the home-opener matchup with Texas A&M is not exactly ideal for a tune-up game. Having this extra week to focus on their own issues, while preparing for A&M at the same time, can prove to be beneficial. Notre Dame needs to show improvement and a real sense of urgency when they come out next Saturday. Notre Dame got beat up physically last week on both sides of the line in a hot and humid atmosphere. Players seemed tired from the start, and some were completely gassed by the fourth quarter. Recovery is essential in a grueling season, and luckily, those should be the least player-friendly conditions they experience this year. Strategically, the bye placement makes sense. If the average fan were to create a perfect schedule, they would place the bye before their toughest game. As of right now, and how it appeared all summer, Notre Dame opens with their two toughest games. The Irish had the entire offseason to prepare for Miami, and now they get an extra week to prepare for Texas A&M. The Aggies defeated UTSA at home last week and host Utah State this Saturday before traveling to South Bend for week three. A&M’s first bye occurs following their matchup with the Irish, right before SEC play begins. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Now here are some potential pitfalls to an early bye: The obvious reason programs do not schedule byes early in the season is that they would like them to be spaced out somewhat evenly, providing a week of recuperation when the team may need it. For Notre Dame this season, they are now tasked with a stretch of six games, including two SEC and two Big Ten programs, and then they finish with a five-game stretch featuring three road contests. According to ESPN, the Irish’s remaining strength of schedule ranks 60th, which may not be the walk-in-the-park that some fans expected heading into the year. Everyone associated with Notre Dame needs to see them win as soon as possible. Players, coaches, fans, parents, students, etc., should all have a salty taste in their mouths after Sunday. The team that got beaten in Miami was not the team we expected or were promised. The sooner Notre Dame can get back on the field and win a game, the better it will be for everyone’s conscience. I certainly would not have complained about a cupcake game this week, as sometimes you just need to see the ball go through the net before you get your game back. Do you think Notre Dame’s week two bye has a more positive or negative impact? Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!