Notre Dame is more 'desperate' to win than Texas A&M 'by a mile,' -analyst

Expectations around Notre Dame football are rather high in 2024. Those high expectations are almost certainly translating to increased pressure for Marcus Freeman and company. And that’s why at least one analyst believes that as far as the desperation factor goes, the Fighting Irish are miles ahead of Texas A&M as far as the Week 1 matchup goes.

“I don’t even think it’s close, I think by a mile it’s Notre Dame,” Greg McElroy said on Always College Football. “I think you look at Notre Dame this is the year, this the year that Marcus Freeman has circled.”

McElroy then laid out all the moves that the Notre Dame football program made in the offseason as a big reason why it’s clear 2024 is supposed to be the year.

Notre Dame football pressure is on against Texas A&M

“You bring in a highly touted prospect at quarterback, you have a new offensive coordinator in Mike Denbrock. You finally talked all offseason about the improved play at the wide receiver spot, I think the defense has a chance to be one of the best in the country. I think the secondary is arguably the best in the country, the linebackers shouldn’t miss a beat, they have two of the best defensive tackles in the country as well. So if you look just at what they have back and I think everything is lined up for Notre Dame this year to make a run.”

The analyst then made it clear that one of the big reasons the Irish are going to be more “desperate” to win the season opener than the Aggies is that new head coach Mike Elko has a bit more of a runway. Though he does expect Elko to make Texas A&M an immediate contender.

“I think this is a must win for Marcus Freeman,” McElroy added. “I think back to all the negativity surrounding the program a couple years ago when he took over… so the pressure without question is on the Irish and on Marcus Freeman in particular.”

Notre Dame football fans will definitely be watching the season opener closely.