College football is back with a bang, and Week 3 is setting the stage for a compelling clash between two titans: the Texas A&M Aggies and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. On Saturday, September 13, 2025, these powerhouse programs will meet in a highly anticipated matchup that promises excitement and early-season statements. For those looking to dive deeper than just the final score, the player prop market on DraftKings Sportsbook offers some particularly intriguing opportunities.
- A Renewed Rivalry: The Grudge Match Context
- The Betting Landscape: Odds and Over/Under
- Player Spotlight: Dominating the Ground Game
A Renewed Rivalry: The Grudge Match Context
This isn’t just another game on the schedule; it carries the weight of a recent rivalry. Notre Dame delivered a dominant 23-13 season-opening victory over the Aggies at Kyle Field in 2024, a memory still fresh in College Station. Now, Texas A&M makes the trip to South Bend, eager to return the favor on the road.
Both rosters are absolutely brimming with top-tier talent, making individual player performances a key storyline. With high-end athletes on both sides, the question isn’t if players will shine, but which ones are set to explode.
The Betting Landscape: Odds and Over/Under
Before we delve into specific player props, let’s set the broader context for this Week 3 encounter. Notre Dame enters the game favored by 6.5 points over Texas A&M. DraftKings Sportsbook has set the over/under for total points at 50.5. With these baseline numbers in mind, we can identify player props that offer excellent value, focusing on individuals poised to exceed expectations.
Player Spotlight: Dominating the Ground Game
Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame RB): Over 76+ Rushing Yards (-118)
Notre Dame’s talented running back, Jeremiyah Love, had a Week 1 performance that likely left Irish fans wanting more. Against Miami, Love was limited to just 33 yards on ten carries, though he did contribute with four catches for 26 yards. Much of this subdued showing, in my view, stemmed from some questionable play-calling by offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who opted for a surprisingly pass-heavy approach even with redshirt freshman CJ Carr under center.
However, the talent Love possesses is undeniable, and it feels almost inevitable that he will receive significantly more work this Saturday. While the Texas A&M defensive front is formidable – they held opponents to a stingy 3.9 yards per carry last season – Love has demonstrated success against this very opponent before. In their 2024 meeting, the dynamic rusher gashed the Aggies for 91 yards and a touchdown on just 14 touches. Though backup Jadarian Price will certainly factor into the rotation, there should be plenty of carries to go around for Notre Dame’s lead back. Coming off a less-than-stellar outing, expect one of the nation’s most dangerous players to come out firing on all cylinders against a familiar foe.
Player Spotlight: Aerial Assault Potential
Mario Craver (Texas A&M WR): Over 53+ Receiving Yards (-123)
Texas A&M’s offense faces its own set of challenges, particularly against a formidable Notre Dame defense whose strength, on paper, lies in its secondary. This unit is anchored by All-American cornerback Leonard Moore. Interestingly, Miami found success against the Fighting Irish not by challenging them with deep balls, but by methodically “dinking and dunking” down the field. Freshman wideout Malachi Toney, for example, capitalized on this approach with six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown in that game.
If any Aggie receiver is poised to replicate a similar stat line, it’s Mario Craver. The Mississippi State transfer has been an absolute revelation in the early season, already accumulating 13 receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns through just two games. At a shifty 5’10”, the sophomore’s style could certainly pose similar problems for Notre Dame’s defense as Toney did. Moreover, Craver has developed an undeniable chemistry with quarterback Marcel Reed. In what promises to be a challenging road environment, the Aggies might find themselves in a position where they are forced to throw the ball to catch up. Should the Irish build a decent lead, they might also be content to concede modest yardage underneath. Regardless of the game script, I anticipate Texas A&M’s top target will be heavily involved in Saturday’s action.
The Strategic Edge: Why These Picks Stand Out
This Week 3 clash between Texas A&M and Notre Dame is shaping up to be a fascinating battleground, not just for the game’s outcome, but for individual player performances. I am particularly bullish on Jeremiyah Love to exceed his rushing total. His undeniable talent, coupled with a subdued Week 1 and his proven success against the Aggies last season, suggests Notre Dame’s offensive scheme will prioritize getting him more touches.
On the other side of the ball, Mario Craver’s explosive early-season form and his ability to exploit a defense that has shown vulnerabilities to a short passing game make his receiving yards prop incredibly attractive. Both of these players have clear, logical paths to surpassing their projected totals, making them my top picks for Saturday’s player prop action on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Expect fireworks when these two teams meet, with these individual playmakers likely to be at the heart of the excitement.
