It doesn’t want to have that conversation this early, but an 0-2 start to the Fighting Irish 2025 campaign could be the barrier that holds itself back in December. That makes Saturday’s primetime matchup a crucial box to check for the reigning national championship runners-up.

While the No. 7 Texas Longhorns face what looks to be an easy day at the office against UTEP, the Texas A&M Aggies travel to South Bend for a top-25 showdown with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

While last year certainly had a different vibe to it, they went with the Notre Dame Victory March as the background music, with ESPN’s Reece Davis and Mike Tirrico narrating, and scenes from this las...