2025 Week 3 Prediction Poll: (16) Texas A&M @ (8) Notre Dame

[LifelongFan]

It would be one thing if the offensive line just wasn't good enough against Miami. It's mostly that they sucked. Flat out bad. Bad line on both sides is a death sentence against any talent.

 

[irishff1014]

I am going to go 30-20 Irish. The run game is goooood.

 

[BeatSC]

I surely hope that I am wrong. I do not think that the A&M defense is overall very physical or good tackling / defending the run. They get after the passer, so you don't want to be in obvious passing downs, but they're giving up 6.3 YPC to running backs having only played Utah State and UTSA so far. So **on paper** we should just be able to run the ball down their throats.

The problem is what OMM has eloquently said in multiple posts now about the OL. Most people thought that the OL would be a strength coming into this year but they were a disaster is execution and assignments against Miami. The big issues I see are that Knapp showed no improvement after being the weak link last year and then the performance at RG was a huuuuuge drop off from the consistency we got from Spindler. Will they click this game? If they do, ND could blow out A&M.

But we also don't know what to make of the A&M offense because they have yet to play anyone with a pulse... but its undeniable that they have a very good OL, good backs, good WRs, and a dynamic dual threat QB. I think if ND plays how they did against Miami they could get gashed like we have rarely seen in recent years. This is the "show me" game for Chris Ash, IMO.

I think this will be like the last time we played USC and Caleb at night and destroyed them. The crowd and Marcus will have us sky high as domination is the goal not just a squeaky win. We need to have people thinking if Miami played us at our house that we would have won. I know people are nervous because 0-2 would be devastating. I choose to get behind this team. If Denbrock wets the bed again his overpaid ass is on the hot seat. ND 45 A&M 17.

 

[BeatSC]

It would be one thing if the offensive line just wasn't good enough against Miami. It's mostly that they sucked. Flat out bad. Bad line on both sides is a death sentence against any talent.

The silent snap count on the road allowed Miami to tee off. Denbrock did a lousy job of neutralizing the rush. Let’s hope he made a call to Tommy and Kelly for some advice.

 

[BeatSC]

Well, shit. I tried to change my vote to A&M by 99+ but the damn thing wouldn't let me.

When it comes to guessing what will happen, some people like to guess what will happen. If you're not mature enough to accept that, that's your problem, and the fact that you're going there when 86% of us guessed ND would defeat a very formidable opponent makes it extra pathetic.

Hey I appreciate you seeing things my way. Don’t know why you can’t change your vote but at least you let us know you tried.
You can go back to setting your bed now and hoping you’re right and I am wrong. You are with the 14%.

 

[SportsingHard]

Hey I appreciate you seeing things my way. Don’t know why you can’t change your vote but at least you let us know you tried.
You can go back to setting your bed now and hoping you’re right and I am wrong. You are with the 14%.

I don't know what it means to set a bed, but I actually picked ND by 4 to 8 points.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

I don't know what it means to set a bed, but I actually picked ND by 4 to 8 points.

@irishu

 

[UPMich_NDfan]

Don’t worry guys. I’m going to drop a shitload of money on A@M to win straight up. Surefire way of helping the Irish out.
ND 24
TAM 20

 

[rtrn2glory]

I trust Ash more than Denbrock which is disheartening

 

[SoIll]

I trust Ash more than Denbrock which is disheartening

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Then why do you think ND only scores 24? Utah State and UTSA scored 22 and 24 points on the road at A&M respectively

Man, you are really splitting hairs IMO. Go outside, touch some grass, take a walk in the sun, idk. Miami is the favorite to win the ACC and we lost to them by 3. By the looks of it, they are a legitimate CFP contender. We played like ass and still almost pulled it off. Most of us knew that it was a coin flip going into Hard Rock. It sucks we lost.

Why 24 points? Because Elko is a good coach. I anticipate that they will sell out for the run similar to Miami and it may take some time for the line to gel/Carr to get going. Would you prefer that I sell you rainbows and butterflies and say that I think Carr is winning the Heisman and we put up 49 points in week 3 at home? You would've called me crazy for that.

I think it will be a clunky home win against a good opponent. I don't think that's crazy, I think that's reality. Hope I'm wrong and we blow the doors off of them. Many people acting like we lost to NIU all over again, my goodness.

 

[dang227]

I'm going to be honest. I am not feeling all that great about this one.

 

[ndfanatic78]

I think this will be like the last time we played USC and Caleb at night and destroyed them. The crowd and Marcus will have us sky high as domination is the goal not just a squeaky win. We need to have people thinking if Miami played us at our house that we would have won. I know people are nervous because 0-2 would be devastating. I choose to get behind this team. If Denbrock wets the bed again his overpaid ass is on the hot seat. ND 45 A&M 17.

You know the game isn’t even sold out right. Tickets are going for less than face vslue. The crowd is most likely going to be lack luster.

 

[LifelongFan]

I'm still not confident in winning, but I think it will be high scoring. More like 34-28.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Keeping receipts. This is insane.

So, you all think A&M is better than Miami? Is that the consensus?

 

[SportsingHard]

Keeping receipts. This is insane.

So, you all think A&M is better than Miami? Is that the consensus?

Who's insane here?

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

The naysayers are just the loudest. Most of the board thinks ND is going to win this.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Man, you are really splitting hairs IMO. Go outside, touch some grass, take a walk in the sun, idk. Miami is the favorite to win the ACC and we lost to them by 3. By the looks of it, they are a legitimate CFP contender. We played like ass and still almost pulled it off. Most of us knew that it was a coin flip going into Hard Rock. It sucks we lost.

Why 24 points? Because Elko is a good coach. I anticipate that they will sell out for the run similar to Miami and it may take some time for the line to gel/Carr to get going. Would you prefer that I sell you rainbows and butterflies and say that I think Carr is winning the Heisman and we put up 49 points in week 3 at home? You would've called me crazy for that.

I think it will be a clunky home win against a good opponent. I don't think that's crazy, I think that's reality. Hope I'm wrong and we blow the doors off of them. Many people acting like we lost to NIU all over again, my goodness.

so you say our roster is loaded, coaching staff is going to fix a lot of our issues from Miami with bye week, and Carr is going to cook. I agree with you!!!!

But then your math gets really wonky. You say we’re only going to score 24 points at home vs A&M. We scored 24 on the road vs Miami. Utah state and Utah have scored 24 and 22 points on A&M at A&M.

I’m not a data scientist, but the answer to the inputs you provided for the equation should equal us scoring more than 24.

Just curious how you got from we’re going to do a lot better as a team and offensively to then saying we don’t score more while at home vs a worse D?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Who's insane here?

View attachment 3060033

The naysayers are just the loudest. Most of the board thinks ND is going to win this.

Correct. I think a solid contingent of the commenters on this thread are the negative Nancies, even if majority voted for an ND win.

I have picked ND to lose before but this game ain't it. They're going to bounce back tomorrow in a big way. Too talented to start 0-2. I trust Freeman to light a fire under their collective asses and they play much better football.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

so you say our roster is loaded, coaching staff is going to fix a lot of our issues from Miami with bye week, and Carr is going to cook. I agree with you!!!!

But then your math gets really wonky. You say we’re only going to score 24 points at home vs A&M. We scored 24 on the road vs Miami. Utah state and Utah have scored 24 and 22 points on A&M at A&M.

I’m not a data scientist, but the answer to the inputs you provided for the equation should equal us scoring more than 24.

Just curious how you got from we’re going to do a lot better as a team and offensively to then saying we don’t score more while at home vs a worse D?

Coaches are going to fix issues = better play calling defensively and offensively. Maybe a little more aggressive and better line play. Less RPOs/screens, more RTDB (specifically with Love/Price). I'm not saying zero screens, because they can be an effective way to counter pressure, but if you're going to do it, why not get the ball into our best playmakers' hands like Love, or even Faison, who was really effective early on in the Miami game?

"Let Carr cook" does not (have to) equal "Carr is going to cook this defense." Obviously, I truly hope he does. Let him throw the ball downfield and off of PA, i.e. open up the offense, like they did in the 2nd half, but not until their backs were against a wall. In order to set up PA, you generally need success running the football, something we didn't do enough of against Miami. When we did, we had a bad play call and/or execution, depending on how you want to look at it with a young QB, on 2nd and 2 with an RPO that resulted in a turnover.

Hopefully, ND can either do a better job of generating pressure with 4, otherwise it would be nice if Ash could do a better job of dialing up pressure with timely blitzes. Either way, ND's pressure rate in the neighborhood of 18% isn't going to cut it.

Clear enough for you or are you going to put more words in my mouth? Like I said, I feel like you're really splitting hairs. Or perhaps it's a skill issue when it comes to reading comprehension.

 

[forkbeard3777]

I think Elko’s a really good defensive minded coach. The only thing I’m really worried about is Elko cooking up something that really throws Carr off, which may cause an ill timed turnover. If not and Notre Dame stays the course, I see ND getting by on a close one. Something like 27-24.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Coaches are going to fix issues = better play calling defensively and offensively. Maybe a little more aggressive and better line play. Less RPOs/screens, more RTDB (specifically with Love/Price). I'm not saying zero screens, because they can be an effective way to counter pressure, but if you're going to do it, why not get the ball into our best playmakers' hands like Love, or even Faison, who was really effective early on in the Miami game?

"Let Carr cook" does not (have to) equal "Carr is going to cook this defense." Obviously, I truly hope he does. Let him throw the ball downfield and off of PA, i.e. open up the offense, like they did in the 2nd half, but not until their backs were against a wall. In order to set up PA, you generally need success running the football, something we didn't do enough of against Miami. When we did, we had a bad play call and/or execution, depending on how you want to look at it with a young QB, on 2nd and 2 with an RPO that resulted in a turnover.

Hopefully, ND can either do a better job of generating pressure with 4, otherwise it would be nice if Ash could do a better job of dialing up pressure with timely blitzes. Either way, ND's pressure rate in the neighborhood of 18% isn't going to cut it.

Clear enough for you or are you going to put more words in my mouth? Like I said, I feel like you're really splitting hairs. Or perhaps it's a skill issue when it comes to reading comprehension.

It just feels like you’re talking yourself into being less confident than you originally portrayed.

I believe we have the most offensive weapons we’ve had in a long long time on offense. I also think A&M’s D isn’t as good as Miami, it won’t be crazy humid, and we’re at home at night .

I'd be disappointed in the O if we score less than 30. With that said, I’d rather score less than 30 and win than over 30 and lose obviously. I just have more concerns with D as I think A&M could be more difficult to defend than Miami. But again, at night, at home, good weather, after a loss and a bye, the team needs to respond everywhere.

The team disappointed in many ways vs Miami, I’m excited to see how they respond.

 

[JamIrish]

They'll be a couple of upsets tomorrow but the Irish won't be one. ND plays with a chip on their shoulder and feeds off the crowd. Love is due a big game, and gets it tomorrow night. After preaching starting fast, The Irish score on their opening drive. ND-31 A&M 20

 

[Irishokie]

Who's insane here?

View attachment 3060033

Hey, pal! I vote to win the overall season prediction and I’ll never vote for us to lose! I don’t want to be tied with ~96 others at 1-1 with a close ND win, I chose 14-18 ND to be tied with potentially 11 others if it’s correct haha! Go Irish!!

 

[Irish2155]

It’s been a long time since I saw an ND Oline play as bad as they did against Miami. It looked honestly like they were gassed before they hit the field.

No popsicles needed this Saturday

Irish roll

 

[SportsingHard]

Hey, pal! I vote to win the overall season prediction and I’ll never vote for us to lose! I don’t want to be tied with ~96 others at 1-1 with a close ND win, I chose 14-18 ND to be tied with potentially 11 others if it’s correct haha! Go Irish!!

Some of you guys are truly pathetic.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

It’s been a long time since I saw an ND Oline play as bad as they did against Miami. It looked honestly like they were gassed before they hit the field.

No popsicles needed this Saturday

Irish roll

Agreed! Tackles were on skates. Even in the pre-MF eras, they had solid to great OL. Hopefully this was an anomaly but holy shit if they suck again this week this board will crash

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I think Elko’s a really good defensive minded coach. The only thing I’m really worried about is Elko cooking up something that really throws Carr off, which may cause an ill timed turnover. If not and Notre Dame stays the course, I see ND getting by on a close one. Something like 27-24.

I feel like aTm is at a crossroads. Every previous HC failed them after some Fools Gold seasons that gave them hope. Elko will either be the HC who finally gets aTm over the 8&4 hump or they will regress to the mean

 

[T Town Tommy]

Irish 28-20

Carr impresses with three TDs as the Aggies load the line to try and stop the run. A long, methodical Irish drive to start the fourth quarter ends any Aggie hope for the upset. Carr finishes the 80 yard drive going 5-5 with two crucial third down conversions. Love runs off tackle inside the five for the td putting the Irish up 28-20. The Aggies push the ball to midfield late but an incomplete pass on fourth down deals the win for the Irish.

 

[Tejas]

I got ND to win by 9-13 points like most others, 21-13. Oh shit I picked the wrong one. 22-13. I think we lean on Love/Price, but Carr steps up and makes some big throws ftw