Koyack was once a prized tight end recruit coming out of high school. Many fans expected him to be next in the line of great Notre Dame tight ends following Tyler Eifert, Kyle Rudolph, John Carlson and Anthony Fasano. On fourth-and-11 last week against Stanford, Koyack caught the game-winning touchdown pass to preserve the undefeated season for Notre Dame.

Smith had 14 tackles last week against a team that has made four straight BCS bowl games. This week he gets to face an inferior opponent in the Tar Heels. North Carolina doesn't have anyone nearly as fast or strong as Smith.

Golson originally committed to North Carolina and actually talked to Roy Williams about playing basketball too. Golson played at Myrtle Beach High School in South Carolina and is familiar with many players on the UNC team. As long as the rain stays away from Notre Dame Stadium, expect Golson's receivers to play better than they did against the best defense in the nation last week in Stanford.

The MGM Mirage in Las Vegas has set the over/under for Notre Dame vs. North Carolina at 65. Notre Dame's defense has not given up more than 17 points all year, and the offensive line has proven it can't open up holes for the Irish backs consistently. Everett Golson has been making enough throws for the Irish to score 40 a game, but turnovers and drops have prevented the team from being more explosive.

North Carolina began the season ranked No. 23 in both polls. The Tar Heels are now 2-3 after three consecutive losses to East Carolina, Clemson and Virginia Tech. Notre Dame is confident after beating Stanford, but Brian Kelly is good at making sure his team doesn't get too cocky. He understands how to navigate a team to an undefeated season by focusing on the day-to-day process. The Irish win this one easily.