It’ll be the first game for the Irish at Notre Dame Stadium this season, and there are already feelings of panic throughout the program.

That’s what an early-season loss to the Miami Hurricanes in Week 1 will do after the Irish lost a close one a week ago. It’s the third time in four seasons that Notre Dame will spend a Saturday trying to get back on track against Texas A&M.

“Last year gives us confidence, playing teams like that, playing NFL caliber guys and playing ranked top 10 teams,” running back Jadarian Price said when asked about starting this season against two ranked teams. “It just makes us feel good as a team and just getting better every week and also shaking off all the haters saying our schedule is not the hardest.”

But the Irish have been here before.

Coach Marcus Freeman lost his first two games in 2022 – 21-10 at Ohio State and 26-21 at home against Marshall. The next season brought turmoil again with midseason losses to the Buckeyes and Louisville.

After a Week 1 win last year, 23-13 at Kyle Field over these Aggies, Notre Dame fell at home the next week to Northern Iowa, 16-14 in a shocker. All the Irish did was win 13 games in a row before falling again to the Buckeyes in the national championship game.

“I think from what we learned last year, there’s a sense of urgency week-in and week-out,” said Price, who led Notre Dame with 45 yards rushing against Miami. “It doesn’t matter who we’re playing.”

This isn’t a game the Aggies are taking lightly, especially after last season’s loss.

“It’s as talented a duo as I’ve played against,” Texas A&M coach Mike Elko said. “The only thing that I can remember in the ballpark was when I was actually at Notre Dame and we played Nick Chubb and Sony Michel (at Georgia). That group was really talented, but these two kids are really, really good.”

The Aggies will rely this time on quarterback Marcel Reed, who is averaging 5.8 yards per carry while throwing for 509 yards and seven touchdowns in the first two games of the year. Reed took over for Conner Weigman, who is now in Houston, as the starter midway through 2024 and rallied the Aggies to a 38-23 victory over No. 8 LSU.

Reed left last week’s game in the third quarter with an injury, but is expected to be fine for the game on Saturday.

“He’s really matured as a passer,” Elko said. “I think he has matured in his understanding of the offense and what it all looks like. I think he’s got a better feel and rhythm for the passing game. He’s had a really, really good first two games. Obviously, the quality of opposition is about to ramp up really, really high, and so, I know he’s looking forward and excited for the challenge.”

The Aggies and Irish kick off from Notre Dame Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT on NBC and Peacock.