Kirk Herbstreit: Notre Dame doesn’t need to worry about Playoff yet, just beat Texas A&M

Many believe Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff hopes could be over if it falls to Texas A&M in Week 3. But ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit doesn’t see it that way.

Even if Marcus Freeman’s team starts 0–2, Herbstreit thinks the Fighting Irish could still make a run at the Playoff. Still, it wouldn’t be ideal — and he doesn’t think it should be the team’s focus right now. Instead, the ESPN analyst wants Notre Dame locked in on the challenge ahead against the Aggies.

“Well, I think with 12 teams, you don’t have to jump to that conclusion in Week 2,” Herbstreit responded, regarding whether Notre Dame has to beat Texas A&M to stay in the Playoff hunt. “It’s a massive game. Anytime you lose to Miami, and now you’ve got Texas A&M coming to your place, it’s significant. It’ll help their cause and make things a lot easier. But this is a football team that right now doesn’t need to be worrying about the Playoff. They just need to take care of business and win a football game.

“I think they’re good enough to beat Texas A&M, especially at home. I thought CJ Carr did enough in that game, in a tough environment, to make you feel like, ‘Hey, this team has a chance.’ If Notre Dame loses this one and finishes 10–2, they probably still have a strong case to be in. But yeah, it’s a good way of looking at this weekend — just how much is at stake for Notre Dame, especially when you look at the rest of that schedule.”

Regardless of Herbstreit’s opinion, starting 0-2 wouldn’t be ideal for Notre Dame. At least the Fighting Irish can take confidence in the team’s recent history with the Aggies. Last season, they went to College Station and came away with a 10-point victory, pulling away in the second half after the game was tied 6-6 at halftime.

Quarterback Riley Leonard didn’t have his sharpest performance, finishing 18-of-30 for 158 yards without a touchdown, but he contributed 63 rushing yards on 12 carries. The real difference came from the backfield tandem of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Love carried the ball for 91 yards and a score, while Price added 44 yards and another touchdown.

On the other side, Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman struggled against the Irish defense. He went just 12-of-30 for 100 yards with two interceptions, while adding only 26 rushing yards. The Aggies’ lone bright spot was running back Le’Veon Moss, who rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.

Saturday will tell the story of whether the Irish can bounce back from their opening loss, or if Texas A&M will earn revenge for last year’s setback. Either way, both teams bring plenty of talent, and Herbstreit will be watching closely to see how it plays out.

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