Notre Dame vs Texas A&M: McAfee bets Nick Saban’s Ferrari in a shocking college gameday wager

ESPN’s College GameDay rolled into Knoxville, Tennessee, for Week 3, where the Volunteers welcome the Bulldogs in a top-25 clash at Neyland Stadium. On set, Rece Davis, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Nick Saban, and Kirk Herbstreit shifted the spotlight to another marquee contest: No. 8 Notre Dame hosting No. 16 Texas A&M.

Pat McAfee raised concerns about the Fighting Irish following their narrow 27-24 defeat at No. 5 Miami in the season opener.

“Everybody is talking about Notre Dame, and I respect it,” McAfee said. “Touchdown Jesus up there is spectacular, and I like Marcus Freeman as much as the next guy. I think he looks really cool. Jeremiah Love got the ball 10 times against Miami, and if you also remember in that game, Carson Beck was just chilling. I saw a lot of Carson Beck just chilling. They were able to run the ball as well.”

Also read: Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M: Kirk Herbstreit says Marcus Freeman doesn’t need a must-win

McAfee praised the Aggies as a skilled yet untested squad.

“I really like Texas A&M, just with the matchup. With the way it is. I don’t think we know anything about Texas A&M, and the Irish Catholic people are going to tell me I always hate on Notre Dame because I wasn’t a private school kid. Maybe that is true, but a follow-up: I like Mike Elko’s big-a** brain, and they’ve got a lot of returning players,” he said.

Nick Saban countered, backing Notre Dame to rebound.

“I’m saying right now, Notre Dame is going to get into the playoffs,” Saban said. “You love Texas A&M. I’m saying Notre Dame is going to win out. Marcus Freeman is the name that will bring them along.”

— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 13, 2025

The exchange ended with McAfee offering a handshake. “Alright, I got the field and you’ve got Notre Dame,” he said. “I need one of your Ferraris or Mercedes-Benz.”

Texas A&M enters the matchup off a 42-24 home win against Utah State, while Notre Dame comes in after the Miami setback. Kickoff at Notre Dame Stadium is set for Saturday, Sept. 13, at 4:30 p.m.

More: Joel Klatt’s bold call on CJ Carr and Notre Dame vs Texas A&M clash