It’s officially a big-time ranked matchup in South Bend this weekend. Both the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Texas A&M Aggies are ranked favorably in the Week 3 Associated Press Poll.
Notre Dame (0-1) is No. 8. Texas A&M (2-0) is No. 16.
This is the second consecutive season the Irish and Aggies are squaring off as ranked teams. Last year, the Irish went to College Station, Texas, and beat the Aggies, 23-13, in the season opener. Notre Dame lost at Miami, 27-24, to begin this season. Then the Irish had a Week 2 bye. The Aggies, meanwhile, have wins over UTSA, 42-24, and Utah State, 44-22.
Notre Dame is the only team in the top 10 that does not yet have a win. The Irish haven’t had the opportunity to bounce back from their season-opening loss. And what a bounce back it would be if they’re able to clip A&M for the second time in as many seasons.
Head coach Marcus Freeman‘s team could really use the big win; there are not many chances, if any, for a head-turning victory the rest of the season, as it stands now. Notre Dame does not have any ranked teams on the schedule after A&M. Miami and A&M were always going to be the Irish’s two biggest opportunities for résumé-boosting wins. They botched the first one. Time to go after and get the second.
Week 3 Associated Press Poll: Notre Dame No. 8
1. Ohio State (2-0)
2. Penn State (2-0)
3. LSU (2-0)
4. Oregon (2-0)
5. Miami (2-0)
6. Georgia (2-0)
7. Texas (1-1)
8. Notre Dame (0-1)
9. Illinois (2-0)
10. Florida State (2-0)
11. South Carolina (2-0)
12. Clemson (1-1)
13. Oklahoma (2-0)
14. Iowa State (3-0)
15. Tennessee (2-0)
16. Texas A&M (2-0)
17. Ole Miss (2-0)
18. South Florida (2-0)
19. Alabama (1-1)
20. Utah (2-0)
21. Texas Tech (2-0)
22. Indiana (2-0)
23. Michigan (1-1)
24. Auburn (2-0)
25. Missouri (2-0)
Week 3 Coaches Poll: Notre Dame No. 8
1. Ohio State (2-0)
2. Penn State (2-0)
3. Georgia (2-0)
4. LSU (2-0)
5. Oregon (2-0)
6. Miami (2-0)
7. Texas (1-1)
8. Notre Dame (0-1)
9. Illinois (2-0)
10. South Carolina (2-0)
11. Clemson (1-1)
12. Florida State (2-0)
13. Ole Miss (2-0)
14. Iowa State (3-0)
15. Tennessee (2-0)
16. Oklahoma (2-0)
17. Texas A&M (2-0)
18. Alabama (1-1)
19. Indiana (2-0)
20. Texas Tech (2-0)
21. Utah (2-0)
22. Michigan (1-1)
23. South Florida (2-0)
24. Arizona State (1-1)
25. BYU (2-0)
