Hot and Cold Takes for Notre Dame VS Texas A&M

Welcome to Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hot and Cold Takes: As a reminder to all of the readers, this is HEAVILY driven by you. The format allows readers and fans to leave their own takes for the game, both HOT and COLD. As a refresher, a HOT take is one that may cause some controversy, but will allow you to say, “CALLED IT!”. A COLD take is still impressive but is generally more reasonable/expected. Each week, I will feature the most accurate, most interesting, and the most wildly inaccurate after each game week. And now onto the takes for Notre Dame facing off against the Texas A&M Aggies.

Cold Take

Both quarterbacks throw for under 200 yards

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but both of these defenses should be among the tops in the country. The quarterbacks won’t have much time and I expect both offenses to get the ball out very quickly. I don’t expect consistent deep ball action in this one as a result of the DLs……though look for ND to take a shot or 2 in the first quarter to try and soften the front. This is also the first action that both Conner Weigman and Riley Leonard will be taking in nearly a full calendar year as they are coming off season ending injuries. The timing might with the WRs might be rusty, which is why I give the advantage to Leonard. He will lean heavily on his legs in zone reads, scrambling, and designed QB runs. A critical area for both QBs will be how effectively they can avoid a “big” sack (loss of 8+). Getting behind the sticks is a losing recipe in this one. WITH ALL THAT SAID, I think the passing outputs will be very modest, mostly consisting of quick throws, screens, and safe throws on the outside.

Hot Take

Welcome to the Big Show Christian Gray – Defensive MVP

Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Texas A&M will absolutely try and avoid All Americans Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts (and the deep middle of the field in general). Enter Christian Gray. By all reports, he has been elite during camp and has the makeup of an NFL corner. He is not very seasoned, but brings a high football IQ combined with elite ball and man cover skills. If there is anyone to “exploit” they will look to Gray……but he will rise to the occasion and makes Texas A&M pay with multiple passes defended and a critical big play (sack, int, fumble recovery, etc). He will be the defensive MVP for Notre Dame this game and will make a play that gives the Irish momentum in a huge spot. This won’t be a Xavier Watts USC game or Morrison Clemson game, but he will thrive in the biggest moment of his young career.

Bonus Scary Take

A Special Teams Error Costs One Side the Game

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Unio / USA TODAY NETWORK

Special teams often plays a critical role in massive games like this. Notre Dame is trotting out a new punter in the burly (and handsome) Australian James Rendell and new (but experienced) kicker Mitch Jeter. Freeman is heavily involved in special teams and his units have been great since his arrival. He will take a conservative approach and focus on protecting the ball and not taking unnecessary risks. But…..football is football and we’ve seen moments win and lose games in the last couple of years. Chris Tyree returned a kick for TD against Wisconsin, then fumble a kick vs. Cincinnati, both total game changers. It will be a toss up who makes the error, but a fumble, wide kick, or a horribly shanked punt could be the difference in this low scoring affair. Im terrified, but if I had to pick one, it would be a Texas A&M player dropping a punt from Rendell (gulp).

Your Takes: Please leave your takes below (hot, cold medium-any temp). I will feature the Top Takes next week. GO IRISH!