Rece Davis predicts winner of Texas A&M-Notre Dame collision
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The SEC’s Week 3 slate is loaded (the same can’t be said for another conference). This Saturday, we get to see No. 6 Georgia battle No. 15 Tennessee and Florida take on No. 3 LSU. Those matchups are so juicy, it leaves No. 16 Texas A&M facing No. 8 Notre Dame as a highly attractive third wheel.
Even if the Gators and Tigers are the apple of your eye, the Aggies and Fighting Irish are worthy of a glance or two on your second screen. The two College Football Playoff contenders are engaging in a rematch of their 2024 season-opening affair, one that Notre Dame won 23-13 in College Station.
Without a win, the Fighting Irish will face a tough road back to the CFP this season. Rece Davis believes Marcus Freeman and Co. know how important this contest is to their postseason hopes, so he anticipates them getting it done in the friendly confines of South Bend.
“Give me Notre Dame,” Davis told Pete Thamel on ESPN’s College GameDay podcast. “I think Notre Dame, in primetime, at home. Defense will be good. I’ll take the Irish.”
While Davis doesn’t see Texas A&M exacting revenge for last year’s loss, Thamel does, thanks to quarterback Marcel Reed.
“I’m gonna take Gig ‘Em here,” Thamel said. “[This] was a coin-flip game last year. Trench game, low scoring. I think Marcel Reed’s experience will lead to him having a breakout signature victory.”
The Aggies are sure to have someone on their bandwagon, but Davis going against them could mean bad news. He opened this week’s pick segment with a mention of his 6-0 record in Week 2. Texas A&M faithful can hope he’s proved wrong when the Aggies (+6.5, ESPN Bet) and Fighting Irish kick off at 7:30 p.m. E.T. on NBC.
