Title: Notre Dame’s Road Win Sets Them Up for College Football Playoff Contention
Notre Dame’s 23-13 victory over Texas A&M in College Station had significant implications for the Fighting Irish’s season. Here are the key takeaways from the game:
Notre Dame’s Valuable Win Against SEC
A road win against a ranked opponent is always precious, but it holds even more weight when it comes against an SEC team. This victory serves as a strong marker for Notre Dame’s at-large consideration in the College Football Playoff race, particularly against SEC teams. The last time Notre Dame won a game of this magnitude was in 2012 against Oklahoma, which propelled them towards the BCS National Championship Game. While it’s too early to determine if this win will have a similar effect, it certainly gives Notre Dame reason to believe it could be a springboard for a successful season.
Notre Dame’s Strong Playoff Position
According to ESPN Analytics, Notre Dame is already in a favorable position to make it to the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The Fighting Irish are projected to be favored in all their remaining games, with their lowest likelihood of victory at 62 percent against USC in the regular-season finale. This win against Texas A&M puts Notre Dame in an excellent position to secure a spot in the playoff and potentially even host a game in South Bend as the No. 5 seed. With their impressive defense, a steady performance from quarterback Riley Leonard, and a solid offensive line, Notre Dame has the potential to go far this season.
Notre Dame’s Clutch Run Game
Despite offensive struggles throughout the game, Notre Dame’s run game proved to be the difference-maker. The Irish, led by an inexperienced offensive line, rushed for 198 yards on 34 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. Both of Notre Dame’s touchdowns came from runs, with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price finding the end zone. Leonard, although struggling in the passing game, made valuable contributions with 63 rushing yards. With a stifling defense that held Texas A&M to under 250 total yards, Notre Dame’s run game played a crucial role in securing the victory.
Evaluation of Quarterback Riley Leonard
In his debut as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback, Riley Leonard showed promise but also had some areas for improvement. Leonard’s passing game struggled to find traction, finishing 18-of-30 for 158 yards and no deep threats against Texas A&M’s secondary. However, Leonard’s running ability provided a spark for the offense. It’s evident that Leonard is still developing as a passer, but his short passes and screen plays were a notable strength. To maximize Leonard’s potential, Notre Dame needs to focus on utilizing his running ability and continue working on his passing game.
Texas A&M’s Offensive Struggles
For Texas A&M, the game highlighted their offensive challenges. Quarterback Weigman had a lackluster performance, throwing two interceptions and finishing with just 100 passing yards. The offensive line had difficulty containing Notre Dame’s defensive front, leading to issues in both pass protection and the run game. With an average of only 3.8 yards per rush, Texas A&M’s offense failed to establish a consistent ground game. While it’s still early in the season and adjustments can be made, the Aggies have work to do to reach the level of a Playoff-worthy or SEC title-contending team.
Conclusion
Notre Dame’s victory against Texas A&M sets them up for a successful season and a potential College Football Playoff appearance. Their strong run game, led by an inexperienced offensive line, proved to be the difference-maker. Quarterback Riley Leonard showed promise but also areas for improvement, particularly in the passing game. On the other hand, Texas A&M’s offensive struggles indicate that patience will be required for them to contend for a Playoff spot or SEC title. Overall, Notre Dame’s win provides them with a strong foundation for the rest of the season.