Notre Dame (8-0) will attempt to maintain its tenuous hold on a postseason playoff spot on Saturday evening as the Fighting Irish battle Northwestern (5-3). Despite being ranked third in the AP and Coaches polls, the playoff committee saw fit to place them in the fourth position earlier this week when the initial rankings were released. The game is being played at Ryan Field near the Wildcat campus, and will be broadcast nationally by ESPN. Kickoff is scheduled at 7:15 pm Eastern time.
Northwestern has won its last four games since a narrow home loss to Michigan in late September, and made a strong statement in its 31-17 victory over Wisconsin last week.