Notre Dame football score predictions: Irish vs. Texas A&M national picks

Alongside No. 6 Tennessee at No. 15 Georgia, No. 16 Texas A&M (3:30 p.m. ET on CBS) at No. 8 Notre Dame (7:30 p.m. ET on NBC) leads what could be a very fun Saturday of college football.

Here’s what the national analysts — who lean toward the Irish but not unanimously — think about Notre Dame’s Week 3 matchup in South Bend.

On3 (Ari Wasserman): Notre Dame -6.5

“I think I’m gonna go back and start drinking Notre Dame kool-aid again. … I still think it’s a gritty, tough team that has a lot to learn from as a result of losing to Miami. I think, as we illustrated earlier in the video, that Miami is maybe one of the three or four best teams in college football. That’s a crazy thing to think at this moment in time, and they lost by a possession at the end of the game.

“Is A&M as good as Miami? Is A&M a real team this year? I don’t really know, but I think Notre Dame is probably gonna win by 7.”

Source: PICKING Texas A&M Aggies at Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Will Mike Elko upset ND in South Bend?

On3 (Andy Staples): Texas A&M +6.5

“I don’t know if this is gonna be a different Texas A&M or another 8-4 Texas A&M, but they have the ability to beat the good teams on their schedule. They have the talent. Mike Elko has said, ‘Hey, we feel better about every position room on the roster.’ They can beat some of these teams. I am fascinated to watch this. I think they can go to South Bend and get a win.

“Now, I’m not taking the money line. I’m not that confident. I will take every one of those 6.5 points. But I just feel like A&M is capable of doing this.”

Source: PICKING Texas A&M Aggies at Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Will Mike Elko upset ND in South Bend?

Bleacher Report: Notre Dame 23, Texas A&M 20

“This is a prove-it game for both programs. Texas A&M needs a marquee win to solidify an encouraging start, whereas Notre Dame would be in real trouble if a loss to A&M follows a setback to Miami. ND’s physicality won out in the 23-13 victory over the Aggies in 2024, and I anticipate a repeat in South Bend — with a closer score.” — David Kenyon

Source: 2025 Week 3 College Football Predictions for Every Game

Fox Sports: Notre Dame 31, Texas A&M 24

“I liked what I saw from CJ Carr. I think Notre Dame goes back to the drawing board, and they understand that getting Jeremiyah Love more involved this time is gonna help CJ Carr, and they’re gonna clarify some of those looks that he could be throwing into and I think Notre Dame actually wins this game.

“Now, I do think it could be tight, because again, I’m a fan of Mike Elko and I’m a fan of Texas A&M. I think it’s a good football team. I don’t think it’s a great football team, whereas I think Notre Dame could be a great football team.” — Joel Klatt

Source: Georgia-Tennessee, Notre Dame-Texas A&M, Florida-LSU & more College Football Week 3 Picks

ESPN analytics: Irish by 2.8 (SP+), Irish by 5.6 (FPI)

“Notre Dame gave us a pretty conflicting impression in Week 1’s narrow loss at Miami. Quarterback CJ Carr was decent but unspectacular in his debut start, while the defense limited Miami’s big-play potential but allowed a 49% success rate, which means it currently ranks 126th in that category. The offensive and defensive lines performed worse than expected, and the run game was first underwhelming and then forgotten.

“It’s easy to see this game becoming one of trench warfare, though random chunk plays could tell the tale. One way or another, the Irish really do need a win here. Even if they were to lose and then win out to finish 10-2 — not a given considering how good future opponents like USC and Arkansas have looked thus far — their résumé might feature only one or two wins over ranked teams, and they could find themselves at the bottom of a pile of 10-2 teams. That’s really not where you want to be.” — Bill Connelly

Source: College football Week 3: Panic levels for Florida, Clemson, Notre Dame and more

USA TODAY Sports: All six pick Fighting Irish

Matt Hayes: Fighting Irish
Jordan Mendoza: Fighting Irish
Paul Meyerberg: Fighting Irish
Erick Smith: Fighting Irish
Eddie Timanus: Fighting Irish
Blake Toppmeyer: Fighting Irish

Source: College football picks, predictions for Week 3. Georgia-Tennessee leads schedule

CBS Sports (Chris Hummer): Texas A&M 28, Notre Dame 27

“This is a tough spot for Texas A&M. Not only do the Aggies have to go on the road, but Notre Dame is coming off a bye following its Week 1 loss to Miami. This game will come down to a few areas: 1. Can Notre Dame block better? The Irish got destroyed up front by Miami, and the Aggies have an excellent pass rush led by Cashius Howell. 2. Can Marcel Reed perform up to his standards? This is a QB that entered the season hoping to complete 70% of his passes.

“If he can do close to that against the Irish’s excellent secondary, the Aggies are going to be in great shape. I’ve felt Texas A&M has been undervalued all offseason. Give me the upset on the road.”

Source: College football predictions, odds, picks: Georgia vs. Tennessee, Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame lead Week 3 slate

CBS Sports (Brad Crawford): Notre Dame 31, Texas A&M 17

“This is the spot where you take the Fighting Irish to cover in a game Notre Dame has to have. This team’s had an extra week to lick its wounds from the opening loss at Miami and prepare for what Texas A&M brings to the table — a one-man show with Marcel Reed at quarterback. Stop him and Notre Dame should win, perhaps handily. That’s easier said than done, however, especially with how this team looked in the trenches a couple weekends ago.”

Source: College football predictions, odds, picks: Georgia vs. Tennessee, Texas A&M vs. Notre Dame lead Week 3 slate