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.