Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Playoff implications for No. 9 Notre Dame, No. 14 N.C. State (Oct 28, 2017)

Published Oct. 24, 2017 5:55 p.m. ET

Notre Dame goes from one major challenge to another as it continues to climb in the polls.

No. 14 North Carolina State is chasing the No. 9 Irish in the rankings, and that makes for a compelling matchup Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind., with the winner putting itself in the conversation for the College Football Playoff.

That's fine with Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly.

"Just be aware of your situation. You've gotten here because you have really stuck to what we have asked you to do," Kelly said. "The big-picture stuff, they're aware of it. But they know how they got here and they like where they're at."

These are both 6-1 teams, so N.C. State coach Dave Doeren -- whose team is riding a six-game winning streak -- said it's not necessary to dwell on what's at stake.

"All we're talking about is us and our enemy," Doeren said. "All that stuff will take care of itself. You really focus on what has brought the success that you've had. People are chasing you instead of you chasing them."

N.C. State plays next week at home against Clemson in a game that could determine the Atlantic Coast Conference's Atlantic Division title. But that's secondary at this juncture because of the trip to Notre Dame.

"It's a top-10 team at their stadium, it means a lot," Doeren said. "We don't need to be perfect. We just need to be better."

Kelly would embrace another type of performance like the one he saw from his team Saturday night against USC. That outcome avenged a loss from last season, just like the Irish are attempting to do this week.

"You don't want to change anything," Kelly said of the preparation.

Notre Dame frequently has taken full advantage of its forced turnovers. The Irish have converted 13 of 17 turnovers into touchdowns, with another resulting in a field goal.

That combination won't likely be easy against N.C. State, which has used ball security to its advantage.

Wolfpack quarterback Ryan Finley hasn't thrown an interception in 313 consecutive passes dating to last season, the longest active streak in the country. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns.

"We're getting pressure on the quarterback," Kelly said. "Flat-out, we're getting pressure in four-man rush. These are guys who have developed within the program."

Running back Nyheim Hines has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the past three games for N.C. State.

There is a major clash brewing along the line of scrimmage. The Irish, embracing a physical approach, are sixth nationally in rushing (317.2 yards per game), while the Wolfpack are sixth nationally in rushing defense (91.3). Notre Dame left tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Quenton Nelson, both seniors, are projected as first-rounders by NFLDraftScout.com. N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb is rated the No. 5 overall prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.

"I'm excited just to watch the line of scrimmage in this football game," Doeren said.

Notre Dame's offense has several standouts, including running back Josh Adams. He has rushed for 967 yards to rank seventh nationally and he sits seventh in career rushing at the school with 2,735 yards.

Quarterback Brandon Wimbush returned from a one-game absence because of a foot injury to run for three touchdowns in the 49-14 romp over visiting USC.

The Irish, who conquered their first ranked opponent since 2015, were so dominant that members of the second-team units were on the field for much of the fourth quarter.

The Irish have won five consecutive games by 20 or more points for the longest such stretch since the 1966 national championship team.

N.C. State, which was off last weekend, owns two victories against teams that were nationally ranked at the time -- Florida State and Louisville. The Wolfpack hasn't conquered three ranked teams in the same season since 1992.

For magnitude, this is N.C. State's first regular-season game involving two Top 15 teams since 1980.

A year ago in Raleigh, N.C., the Wolfpack edged Notre Dame 10-3 in a game played in heavy rains and winds stemming from Hurricane Matthew. Both teams were enduring troubles last season.

"Both of us went through tough seasons at times a year ago and have rebounded," Doeren said.

This marks the Wolfpack's first football visit to Notre Dame. The first meeting between the programs came at the end of the 2002 season, with N.C. State prevailing in the Gator Bowl.

For Doeren, there's even extra significance to this trip.

"I grew up in a Catholic home and going to Catholic church," he said. "Part of the Sunday conversation every week was the Notre Dame score."