Two weeks into the season, both Notre Dame and Texas A&M find themselves staring at a game that feels like more than just another September matchup. This is about measuring progress, answering questions, and proving staying power. The Aggies and Irish already crossed paths in 2024, a thriller that went down to the wire at Kyle Field. Now, the stage shifts to South Bend. Both sides are breaking in new quarterbacks, reshuffling their wide receiver rooms, and still trying to unlock their full offensive potential. Saturday night at Notre Dame Stadium feels like a litmus test.

Instead of the usual Notre Dame booth, the network is sending Noah Eagle to handle play-by-play duties, while veteran analyst Todd Blackledge slides in for color commentary. The changeup brings a national spotlight vibe to this clash, as both broadcasters are known for calling in big ticket games. It’s another subtle reminder that while this is just Week 3, the game carries the weight of something much larger.

Noah is the son of renowned sportscaster Ian Eagle. Noah started broadcasting games when he was a junior. Before getting into the broadcasting job at NBC, he started announcing play-by-play games for the Los Angeles Clippers. His football knowledge and engaging announcing skills earned him a name. Noah is now an established sportscaster and popular in the sports world. His work at NBC for the Big Ten Conference and NFL games is popular.

Meawhile, Todd Blackledge is a former Penn State quarterback who led the Nittany Lions to the 1982 national championship. He has been one of college football’s most respected voices in the booth. After a brief NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, he transitioned into broadcasting, carving out a reputation for sharp analysis and a steady presence on major college football telecasts. Now with NBC Sports after decades at ESPN, Blackledge continues to bring a mix of championship pedigree and seasoned perspective to every game he calls.

Freeman vs. Elko

For the Irish, coming off an early-season stumble at Miami, it’s a chance to steady the ship before the gauntlet of conference play begins. For Texas A&M, it’s an opportunity to show Year 2 of the Mike Elko rebuild is more than just a collection of hopeful signs. NBC is treating this primetime window with plenty of fanfare.

The quarterback matchup offers plenty of intrigue. For Texas A&M, Marcel Reed has been steady but not spectacular, embracing the “game manager” tag as a passer. Yet his athleticism as a runner adds a dangerous wrinkle. If he tucks it and goes, defenses have to adjust on the fly. That mobility could be the X-factor, especially against an Irish defense that thrives on dictating tempo. Across the sideline, Notre Dame is banking on freshman CJ Carr, who wasted no time flashing his potential. In his debut, he threw two touchdowns and added another on the ground, showing poise beyond his years even in a narrow 27-24 loss to Miami. Carr still has plenty of polish to add, but the talent is obvious. Against A&M, he’ll need to show both composure and creativity.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has quietly built a résumé that screams “SEC killer.” In just four years, he’s already racked up a 3-0 mark against ranked SEC opponents. Georgia in the CFP, plus wins over South Carolina and these very Aggies. That’s rarefied air in South Bend, where beating SEC heavyweights hasn’t always come easy. Freeman’s challenge this time isn’t about intimidation. It’s about execution, particularly in getting his offense to run with more balance. Against Miami, the Irish rushed just 28 times for 93 yards. That won’t cut it against a defense like A&M’s. Expect to see more Jeremiyah Love pounding the rock and Carr leaning on play-action to loosen things up.

On the flip side, the Aggies have a glaring trend to overcome. They haven’t beaten a ranked team on the road since 2014, when they knocked off Auburn. Since then? A brutal 0-13 skid, with an average margin of defeat sitting at 34-18. That kind of stat hangs over a program, and this weekend is as good a chance as any to shake the ghosts. Elko’s rebuild is still early in its life cycle, but moments like these can change a narrative fast.

Notre Dame looks like the more complete team. The Irish have the better rushing attack, with Love ready to shoulder a heavier workload, and Carr has already shown enough juice to suggest he won’t shrink under primetime pressure. Add in Freeman’s track record in these spotlight SEC matchups, and it’s no surprise this is a game no one would want to miss.