Mike Elko makes interesting comments on his return to South Bend

This Saturday, Texas A&M is set to head to South Bend, Indiana, to take on Notre Dame. For Aggies head coach Mike Elko, this matchup brings back a familiar feeling.

In 2017, Elko was the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame under head coach Brian Kelly. The Fighting Irish achieved a 10-3 record, which led to Elko securing the position of Texas A&M's defensive coordinator the following season.

Elko is now the Aggies' head coach, returning to South Bend for the first time in eight years. On Tuesday, he spoke about Notre Dame's rich tradition and history.

"You feel tradition. You feel history," Elko said Tuesday. "You feel what that program has meant for so long to college football."

Elko has faced Notre Dame twice since leaving the program, and both encounters took place out of South Bend. In 2022, Elko, as the head coach of Duke, lost to Notre Dame. Last season in College Station, the Fighting Irish beat Elko in his debut as the Aggies' head coach.

Texas A&M could drastically improve its playoff odds with a win over Notre Dame.

If the Aggies want to make the playoffs, they need to secure a victory in South Bend before they enter SEC play, where they have one of the most demanding conference schedules. 

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