I know I've posted on ND 2024 on the boards, but you asked, so here are one guy's thoughts about ND, their ranking, and ATM.
Notre Dame has NFL guys all over their defense. It's the strength of the team, they return 8 starters plus a 3 year starter transfer. They have an All American NG in Howard Cross, an AA candidate at LB in Jack Kiser, and a 1st AA in Xavier Watts at S. They have a high returning CB who will play in the NFL. They're going to be really good on defense and Freeman knows how to handle that side of the ball.
On offense, they bring Riley Leonard, who is quite good if he's healthy. This will be the opening game, so you have to like the odds of Leonard opening the game at full speed, same as Weigatron. They actually have sure-handed talent that won't scare anyone at WR and the typical ND TE in Mitchell Evans. They lost both tackles to the NFL and this will be a source of focus heading into the season, although ND knows what they're doing with OL development.
ND's ranking, outside of halo effect, is also a by-product of one of the weakest P4 schedules in the entire country. The ATM game, along with USC and FSU games, is a must-win game. For ND to get into the playoffs this year, they're not going to be able to lean on the depth of their schedule. They're going to have to be able to lean on being 11-1/12-0 and they could do that. So the ATM game is pretty fucking important for them and they're going to know that.
As far as the match-up, the biggest part of it is probably coaching. Freeman is a proven buffoon when it comes to in-game coaching. The Elk's HC prowess is buoyed by one of the more laughable schedules ever in 2022 in which Duke went 9-4 while never playing a ranked team. Last year, tubby went 1-4 against ranked opponents with the season opener against Clemson being the big win. Can this guy actually win big as a HC? There is no evidence for that yet.
ATM's front 7 against the ND OL and TE will be in ATM's advantage. Leonard and the WRs against the ATM secondary could be an actual strength for ND. ND's front seven against the ATM OL is the most brutal match-up in the game. ND's secondary also being really fucking good doesn't help.
Finishing up making a short story really long, you guys that are starting to/itching to predict an ATM victory over ND aren't looking at the actual rosters and match-up and falling prey to media sloth regarding ATM's talent levels and the myth of some major home field advantage for the aggies.
ATM stands a terrific chance of opening the season 1-2 after losing to ND and @ Florida.