SOUTH BEND — With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams this season, more programs will be in the mix for a national championship. With Notre Dame football‘s seemingly favorable schedule, the Irish are considered a favorite to nab one of those 12 spots.
Of Notre Dame’s 12 regular-season games, the Irish are expected to be favored in each. Notre Dame will play two road games on college campuses this season — the opener against Texas A&M, and week three at Purdue. Two of its contests will be played in NFL stadiums and one in a Major League baseball park. It’s regular-season finale against rival USC is technically played off campus at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
As for Notre Dame’s six true home games,, Florida State has top billing as the Seminoles travel to South Bend Nov. 9 for a primetime matchup. FSU lost its last sub-freezing November game in South Bend, 42-13, back in a 2018.
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As head coach Marcus Freemans leads the Irish into his third year at the helm, here is a breakdown of what to expect for each game on the 2024 Notre Dame football schedule:
Aug. 31 — @ Texas A&M
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When/where: Aug. 31 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, 7:30 p.m.
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TV: ABC
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Series history: Notre Dame leads 3-2
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Last meeting: Texas A&M won, 24-3, in 2001
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Last year’s record: 7-6
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Early betting line: Texas A&M -1
About Texas A&M: It’s a new era for the Aggies as former Duke head coach and ND assistant Mike Elko replaces Jimbo Fisher. With that comes several changes, making this week one opener feel truly like a toss-up.
The Aggies’ starting quarterback battle will likely be between Conner Weigman and Jaylen Henderson. The former started the A&M’s first four games last season before injuring his foot, while Henderson is recovering from a late-season arm injury. Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens could be a top rushing option for A&M, while Noah Thomas flashed as a top receiving threat during April’s spring game.
Defensively, the Aggies’ second-leading tackler from last year in Taurean York is back. Elko is a defensive-minded head coach and inherits a team that ranked 19th in total defense a season ago.
This will be the second-straight year Notre Dame faces an Elko-coached team. The Irish beat Elko’s Duke Blue Devils, 21-14, last September in one of the season’s more memorable finishes in Durham.
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Sept. 7 — vs. NORTHERN ILLINOIS
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Game info: Sept. 7 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, 3:30 p.m.
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TV: NBC.
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Series history: First meeting
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Last year’s record: 7-6
About Northern Illinois: This is a first-time matchup for the Fighting Irish against the Huskies of the Mid-American Conference.
One of the MAC’s top rushers in Antario Brown is back after accumulating 1,296 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground last season. He’ll be relied on heavily early as NIU replaces three-year starting quarterback Rocky Lombardi.
On defense, look for the likes of defensive end Raishein Thomas (74 tackles, two sacks last year) and defensive back JaVaughn Byrd (three interceptions) to lead the way for the Huskies.
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Sept. 14 — @ Purdue
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Game info: Sept. 14 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind., 3:30 p.m.
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TV: CBS
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Series history: Notre Dame leads 57-26-2
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Last meeting: Notre Dame won, 27-13, in South Bend
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Last year’s record: 4-8
About Purdue: A rivalry is renewed as the Irish and Boilermakers play for the Shillelagh Trophy once again.
Purdue is going through a rebuild under second-year head coach Ryan Walters. Quarterback Hudson Card returns after starting 11 games last season. The team’s leading rusher in Devin Mockobee is back as well.
Cleaning up the defensive side of the ball will be key, as Purdue ranked in the bottom third of the country in points allowed last season with a 30.4 per-game average.
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Sept. 21 — vs. MIAMI (OHIO)
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Game info: Sept. 21 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, 3:30 p.m.
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TV: NBC
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Series history: Notre Dame leads 2-0
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Last meeting: Notre Dame won, 52-17, in 2017
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Last year’s record: 11-3
About Miami (OH): Perhaps a sneaky tough game for Notre Dame as the Mid-American Conference champion RedHawks return 13 starters.
Starting quarterback Brett Gabbert — the younger brother of former Missouri and NFL quarterback Blaine Gabbert — is back for his sixth season of college football. Meanwhile, senior linebackers Matt Salopek and Ty Wise are back after recording 143 and 122 tackles, respectively, with Salopek’s total ranking third in the country amongst all players.
A total of 17 players on the RedHawks started their careers at the Power-Five level, giving Miami one of the more talented and deeper rosters in the MAC.
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Sept. 28 — vs. LOUISVILLE
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Game info: Sept. 28 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, 3:30 p.m.
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TV/Streaming: Peacock exclusively
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Series history: tied 2-2
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Last meeting: Louisville…
South Bend Tribune
