Fresh off a statement victory last week at Texas A&M, Notre Dame kicks off its home schedule on Saturday as the Fighting Irish host Northern Illinois University. The 1-0 Huskies also enjoyed a most impressive opening game. They gained 706 yards of offense in a 54-15 romp over Western Illinois. Coach Tom Hammock will bring a veteran team with 18 returning starters into South Bend. The game will be nationally televised on NBC beginning at 3:30 PM Eastern time.
Northern Illinois has a history of upset road wins over Power Four programs during the past two decades. Its victims include Purdue, Iowa, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Nebraska, and even mighty Alabama.