College Football Week 1 Picks: Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M (2024)
It’s finally time to break down Week 1 of the college football season!
There are some incredible matchups on the slate. This could ultimately be one of the best Week 1’s we’ve ever had.
Clemson will play Georgia, Miami will visit Florida, and Notre Dame will travel to Texas A&M. Plus, USC will take on LSU in Las Vegas for a standalone Sunday game.
It really doesn’t get any better than this! I’ve added a couple of my favorite bets heading into the week. Here is my top pick for College Football Week 1’s game: Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M.
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College Football Top Early Week Picks: Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M
(Odds courtesy of DraftKingsFanDuel Sportsbook)
Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M
Mike Elko took over the Texas A&M head coaching position and left Duke at the end of last year. That forced former Duke QB Riley Leonard’s hand, so he transferred to Notre Dame.
Oddly enough, Elko’s Aggies will face Leonard and the Fighting Irish in a Week 1 matchup. The storylines don’t get more wild than this.
Two of Duke’s most influential people last season will be on opposite sidelines on Saturday night.
That said, let’s go back to last season. Sam Hartman came over to Notre Dame and probably played below expectations. The Fighting Irish went 10-3 but still had two losses on the road.
Hartman threw for 2,689 yards with 24 passing touchdowns last season after throwing for more than 3,400 yards and 35+ touchdowns in the previous two seasons with Wake Forest. So, what makes anyone think Leonard will outperform Hartman’s numbers? Leonard is a great runner but not nearly as good of a passer.
Elko knows all of Leonard’s tendencies. I’ll back the Aggies at home at -3.
Pick: Texas A&M -3 (-105)