Unlike other big programs like Alabama, Notre Dame’s Week 1 loss didn’t get as much media attention. It helped the Fighting Irish that they lost a close game, which could have gone either way at the end of the 4th quarter. Still, losing to a team that didn’t make it to the playoffs for the natty finalists must have stung. To make matters worse, Marcus Freeman’s squad had to go through a bye week in between their first two games. It’s a given that the lessons would have been learned. You expect that from a Freeman team. One of those lessons? Utilize your weapons.

In their Week 3 clash, the Irish are set to face the Aggies at South Bend. Texas A&M is coming 2-0 to a matchup they lost at home last year. For it not to be a repeat of Week 1 for Freeman, the offense has to fire from the get-go. It can’t have a repeat of a 0-point first quarter. Notre Dame’s identity lies in winning the trenches. You imagine a Marcus Freeman team, and you’d immediately think of a strong O-line. It doesn’t matter whether they are starting seniors or freshmen in the O-line. What also didn’t help against Miami was that the O-line couldn’t establish the run game. Just 94 yards on 26 carries. That meant that Jeremiyah Love, one of the true stars in the Irish offense, didn’t get a chance to take over the game.

On CBS Sports, Damien Harris also pointed out another issue. The touches that Love got. Just 10 carries. “Jeremiyah Love has to get the football today. He is a difference maker. When you look at him, when you look at his tape, when you watch him play, whether it’s the contact strength, the balance, the breakaway speed, the ability to receive out of the backfield, this is a first-round NFL draft pick at running back,” Harris said.

This also means that you can’t have a situation where CJ Carr is having more touches than Love in the run game. Of course, the idea was to utilize their star RB as a decoy. Not only did it not work. It also kept Love out of the game. “If you take Jeremiyah Love out of that equation, the run game is not the same. Riley Leonard doesn’t get the same opportunities. And Jeremiyah Love showed that he was the bell cow guy for them throughout the playoffs whenever it was time to show up on the biggest stages.”

The decision not to use Jeremiyah Love was met with skepticism by fans and analysts alike, and with good reason. The running back is one of the most experienced offensive players on the team. Harris termed it “coaching malpractice” and questioned Freeman’s decision by saying, “How do you not give him 20 touches to start the season?”

Not all of Freeman’s decisions were poor, however. Starting QB CJ Carr highlighted the potential within the squad. Considering it was his first college start, Carr did well. He completed 19 out of 30 passes for 221 yards, with 2 passing touchdowns. He showed promise as a leader, a quality that not many possess. But there were still lapses in the offensive front. He threw one interception, which hurts in a close game. As of now, Carr’s career potential could go anywhere. It is clear that Marcus Freeman does not lack talent in his squad.

Can Notre Dame finally go back to their winning ways?

Notre Dame has not yet won a game this season. Considering how they finished last season, this is a poor start to the season. Analyst Bryan McFadden dubbed this a “must-win” game. “You don’t usually see that in week 2 for a team because they didn’t play last week. But for Notre Dame, because of what happened against Miami, they have to take care of their business today,” added McFadden. 

Texas A&M is coming in hot this season, trashing UTSA and UTAH in the first two games of the season. Mario Craver has been on a tear this season. If anyone can go against Notre Dame’s defense, it’s going to be Craver. Craver and his partnership with QB Marcel Reed are going to be a problem for Notre Dame. Marcus Freeman has a lot on his hands, with pressure mounting. The game is going to be a treat for all college football fans. However, if Freeman does not sort out his tactics, then we may see another trashing this season at the hands of Texas.