Kickoff: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Notre Dame -4.5, Total: N/A

In a rematch from last season’s opening weekend, #10 Notre Dame is hunting for a national title while Texas desperately needs to right the ship.

Notre Dame began and ended the season with a #11 ranking, going 10-2 in the regular season with away losses to elite teams in Clemson and Stanford. As 3.5-point underdogs in the Fiesta Bowl, the Irish fell 44-28 to Ohio State. Though head coach Brian Kelly lost a load of talent to the NFL on both sides of the ball, the Irish expect to compete for a Playoff berth with an explosive offense and an inexperienced but promising defense. A key to the season will be the handling of QBs Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer, both outstanding playmakers who will get reps during Week 1. Kelly also has the luxury of rotating two strong options at RB, Tarean Folston and Josh Adams. Despite huge losses on defense, the Irish have a stable of talented underclassman ready to step up. Texas is coming off their first back-to-back losing seasons since the 1980s, placing head coach Charlie Strong squarely on the hot seat in his third season. New offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert is installing a fast-paced, hopefully high-scoring system, and freshman QB Shane Buechele has looked ready for primetime since arriving in Austin. The combination of a beefy, bruising backfield and tall, game-breaking outside receivers will be tough for opposing defenses to handle. A disappointing Longhorns defense will rely on the recruiting class to supply a run-stopping presence up front, while a young secondary is expected to take a big step forward this season. Last year’s season-opener was the first meeting between these teams in 19 years. As nine-point home favorites, Notre Dame embarrassed Texas 38-3, outgaining the Longhorns 527 total yards to just 163. Notre Dame is 6-2 ATS (8-0 SU) in August and September games since 2014. With Charlie Strong as head coach, Texas is 2-5 ATS (0-7 SU) as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points.

Notre Dame averaged 7.0 yards per play last season (6th in the nation) and scored 34.2 points per game (34th). QB Malik Zaire looked destined for stardom early last season, posting 428 passing yards, four TD and no INT in seven quarters of football before a Week 2 fractured ankle cost him the rest of the season. QB DeShone Kizer rose to the occasion, throwing for 2,880 yards, 21 TD and 10 INT while running for 525 yards and 10 TD as a sophomore. Head coach Brian Kelly plans to play both quarterbacks against Texas, feeling that both are too good to keep on the sideline for long. Though RB C.J. Prosise (1,337 yards from scrimmage, 12 TD) is now in the NFL, RB Josh Adams (838 rushing yards, 7 total TD) excelled as a freshman and RB Tarean Folston (1,079 yards from scrimmage, 7 TD in 2014) returns after tearing his ACL in Week 1 last year. The top three receivers from last season are all gone, including WR Will Fuller (1,258 receiving yards, 14 TD). WR Torii Hunter Jr. (28 receptions, 363 yards) is likely the No. 1 option in the passing game, and the other starting spots may go to players who didn’t catch a single pass last year. The Irish defense lost six starters after holding opponents to 24.1 points per game (39th in the nation). DE Isaac Rochell (7.5 TFL) and DT Jarron Jones (missed 2015 with a torn MCL) lead a deep rotation of D-linemen. LB James Onwualu (3 sacks, 6 TFL) needs to assume a leadership position in an inexperienced linebacking group, while S Max Redfield (39 solo tackles) and CB Cole Luke (2 INT, 5 pass breakups) lead a secondary teeming with unproven talent.

After finishing 83rd nationally in scoring (26.4 PPG) and 118th in passing yards per game (146), Texas brought in former Tulsa offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert to run their offense. Freshman QB Shane Buechele thrived in Gilbert’s up-tempo, spread system this spring. He’s the long-term answer under center and should play right away. QB Tyrone Swoopes will take some reps in a run-heavy package coming off a 12-rushing-TD season. Burly RBs D’Onta Foreman (672 rushing yards, 5 TD) and Chris Warren III (470/4) are tough to tackle, each weighing around 250 lbs. Top WR John Burt (28 receptions, 457 yards) returns, and 6’6” freshman WR Collin Johnson is expected to contribute right away. After allowing 219 rushing yards per game (112th in the nation), the Longhorns are expecting a collection of highly touted freshman to step up on a depleted defensive line. DE/OLB Naashon Hughes (5.5 sacks, 9 TFL, 40 solo tackles) and LB Malik Jefferson (2.5 sacks, 7 TFL, 37 solo tackles) are the top returning playmakers up front. The secondary should be better after allowing 233 yards per game last year (78th in the nation). CBs Holton Hill and Davante Davis impressed as freshman a year ago and could be the Big 12’s best tandem by season’s end.