Texas A&M’s 2024 season opener vs. No. 7 Notre Dame is just hours away, as the Aggies will begin the Mike Elko head coaching era with a prime-time showdown inside what could be a nearly sold-out Kyle Field.
Because of the game’s significance in week 1, ESPN’s College GameDay traveled to College Station, Texas, for the first time since the 2018 season.
One of this season’s new hosts, legendary former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, is well aware of the challenge a night game at Kyle Field presents, as one of the A&M’s biggest wins in the last decade came at the hands of then No. 1-ranked Alabama and future No. 1-overall NFL draft pick, quarterback Bryce Young.
Coincidentally, Mike Elko served as A&M’s defensive coordinator in his final season before departing for Duke, as Saban recounted just how tough Elko’s pressure packages were, confusing Bryce Young throughout the night.
“The last time we played here at night, which was three years ago, ya’ll beat us… After winning 19 games in a row, Bryce Young was so confused by your pressures, that we had no chance.”
Before predicting that Texas A&M would defeat Notre Dame on Saturday night, Saban delivered a line that Texas A&M’s recruiting department will likely use for years to come, discussing the 12th Man’s impact in rattling the nerves of every opponent who comes enters Kyle Field.
“Until you play in this place – a night game at Kyle Field – you do not know what it’s like. The noise will play a major factor. I’m taking the Aggies.”
No. 20 Texas A&M will host No. 7 Notre Dame on Saturday, August 31, at 6:30 p.m. CT, and the game will air on ABC.
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