Report: Key Notre Dame defensive lineman to miss opener against Texas A&M football

Report: Notre Dame's Gabriel Rubio fractures foot, likely to miss opener vs. Texas A&M football

The opener between Texas A&M football and Notre Dame is one of the most hotly anticipated games in week 1 of the college football season. The only other matchup that rises to that level is Georgia and Clemson, but with the recent fall from grace for the Tigers from the elite of the elite, that contest promises to be far less competitive than that between the Ags and Irish.

Notre Dame brings a promising offense, an elite defense, and College Football Playoff hopes to College Station on August 31. However, according to a report from Luciano Antonini of The Irish Tribune, the Golden Domers will be missing a key rotation player in the middle of the defensive line.

While Rubio is not a starter, he was counted on to be a big contributor this year as a rotation player. At 6'5", 316 LBs, he's a guy that can be a space-eater in the middle of a defensive line. A former top-150 recruit, his size and strength are enviable at that position.

Texas A&M football is looking to completely remake their offensive line in several ways, so this could end up helping them in those efforts in week 1. The scheme and coaching will be far different, as will some of the faces on the offensive front.

Quality depth is a must in the kind of knock-down, drag-out fight that this game promises to be. In the August heat at Kyle, late in the fourth quarter, having that extra guy can make a lot of difference, which is why this has the potential to be so consequential for the Irish here.

Of course, we're not celebrating this injury in any way—simply analyzing the effect it could have on this matchup between the Irish and Aggies. Here's to a speedy recovery for Rubio—hopefully, he'll have a productive season for ND.