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FACTS & STATS: Site: Notre Dame Stadium (80,795) -- South Bend, Indiana. Television: NBC. Home Record: Air Force 2-1, Notre Dame 1-1. Away Record: Air Force 1-0, Notre Dame 2-1. Neutral Record: Air Force 0-0, Notre Dame 0-0. Conference Record: Air Force 0-1, Notre Dame 0-0. Series Record: Notre Dame leads, 22-6.

GAME NOTES: The Air Force Falcons fly into South Bend for this weekend's non- conference matchup with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Troy Calhoun's Falcons enter this tilt with a two-game winning streak and a 3-1 overall record. They were most recently in action last weekend when they defeated a solid Navy squad on the road by a thrilling 35-34 final. A member of the Mountain West Conference, Air Force has played just one league game to date, a loss to TCU back on September 10th.

As for Notre Dame, it has certainly bounced back strong since an 0-2 start to the campaign. Brian Kelly's team has ripped off three consecutive victories, including two straight on the road. Last weekend, the team simply overwhelmed in-state rival Purdue, beating the Boilermakers by a 38-10 final.

Although Notre Dame holds a commanding 22-6 series lead over Air Force, the Falcons won the most recent meeting by a 41-24 final back in 2007.

Through four games, Air Force is racking up 38.5 ppg and 513.5 total ypg, proof of just how productive the offense has been. As is always the case with the Falcons, most of their yardage has come on the ground, as the club is rushing for 364.5 ypg at a staggering clip of 6.9 ypc. Of the 21 touchdowns the offense has posted, 15 have come via the run.

Tim Jefferson has been terrific under center, as he has passed for 493 yards and five touchdowns while completing 70.2 percent of his attempts. He also ranks second on the roster with 210 yards and four touchdowns as a runner. The top back on the club is Asher Clark, as he has produced 382 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, the Falcons do have some room for improvement, as they are yielding 28.2 ppg and 409.5 total ypg to foes. Opponents are running for 227.5 ypg against Air Force, and the squad is also permitting 12.6 yards per pass completion. On a positive note, 10 sacks and five interceptions have been notched by the defense thus far. Brady Amack has been the most active defender on the roster, as he has posted 43 total tackles and has forced a pair of fumbles.

Against Navy last week, Air Force blocked an extra point in overtime, and that big play proved to be the difference in the contest. The Falcons were outgained 466-359 in total yardage, and the fact that they won the game despite permitting 334 rushing yards is a bit surprising.

Switching focus to Notre Dame, it is averaging 27.0 ppg and 449.0 total ypg through five outings. The Fighting Irish have scored 17 offensive touchdowns, and it is clear that the offense is far more in tune when Tommy Rees is under center than Dayne Crist, who began the year as the starting QB. Since taking over the job midway through week one, Rees has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,242 yards and 10 touchdowns against six interceptions. It comes as no surprise that he leads heavily on star wideout Michael Floyd, and the big man has responded with 47 catches for 561 yards and three touchdowns. Another weapon for the Irish is Cierre Wood, a talented tailback who has rushed for 584 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 5.7 ypc.

The offense usually garners the headlines for Notre Dame, but it has been the play of the defense that can be considered the strength of the team thus far. Opponents are managing a mere 18.6 ppg against the Fighting Irish, who are surrendering 321.6 total ypg. They have been particularly tough against the run, yielding just 91.2 ypg at a clip of 2.9 ypc. With 13 sacks, Notre Dame has clearly been able to get to the quarterback with regularity. Manti Te'o leads the defense in tackles by a wide margin with 49, 20 more than his closest teammate.

Notre Dame exploded for 34 first downs and 551 total yards against Purdue last week, and not a single turnover was committed by coach Kelly's team. Rees threw for 254 yards and three touchdowns, while Floyd tallied 12 catches for 137 yards and a score. The star was Wood, however, as he posted 191 yards and a touchdown on 20 rushing attempts. Defensively, the Irish limited the Boilermakers to 276 total yards, including just 84 rushing.

Playing at home, Notre Dame is likely to earn its fourth consecutive win in this contest. The Fighting Irish offense is loaded with talent, proving capable of running and passing with equal success. Still, it is the defense that is really beginning to turn some heads.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Notre Dame 34, Air Force 17