Sept. 04--TV/radio: 6:30 p.m. Saturday; NBC-5, WLS-AM 890.
Line: Notre Dame by 91/2.
2014 records: Texas 6-7; Notre Dame 8-5.
Last meeting: Notre Dame scored 10 points in the final 2:54 of a 27-24 victory on Sept. 21, 1996, in Austin, Texas.
On the offensive: Unlike Texas, Notre Dame is stacked with experience at receiver, led by Will Fuller. Question is, can Malik Zaire get them the ball? Texas will use a two-quarterback system, with redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard expected to see action behind starter Tyrone Swoopes. RB Johnathan Gray is a threat to run and catch.
Getting defensive: Six of the 11 starters the Longhorns lost were on defense, including two All-Americans and four NFL draft picks. Notre Dame returns 10 on defense, anchored by LBs Jaylon Smith and Joe Schmidt and lineman Sheldon Day.
The number: 1,763. Combined all-time victories for the programs. Notre Dame (882) is second to Michigan among FBS teams and Texas (881) is third.
The talk: The 12th night game in Notre Dame Stadium history will be Zaire's first chance in the spotlight since his only career start in the Music City Bowl.
Paul Skrbina's pick: All-around experience pushes the Irish to victory. Notre Dame 31, Texas 17.
