NC State vs. Notre Dame 2017 live stream: Time and how to watch online

After handling USC at home, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish proved they are a College Football Playoff contender. On Saturday, they will have to avoid a letdown against a talented NC State team. Notre Dame will try to notch its first-ever win over the Wolfpack when the two teams meet at 3:30 p.m. ET, broadcast live on NBC (live stream).

NC State is 2-0 against the Irish all time, and the third matchup between these teams will pit two of college football’s hottest teams against one another. The Wolfpack have won six straight games since an opening weekend loss to South Carolina. Notre Dame lost to a devastating Georgia team in Week 2 by a single point; since then, they’ve won five straight games by an average margin of more than 28 points per game.

After just hangin’ back and enjoying a nice relaxing Saturday on this off week, NC State moved up in both major polls. The Wolfpack is up to No. 14 in the AP Poll and No. 15 in the Coaches Poll. See there, didn’t even have to do anything. This whole being ranked thing is great.

Notre Dame was never going to repeat last year’s 4-8 disaster in 2017, but it’s becoming clear now that the Irish aren’t just better. They’re back.

The No. 13 Irish dismantled No. 10 USC on Saturday in South Bend, 49-14. They led 28-0 at halftime. They dominated the line of scrimmage, running for a 8-yard average and holding the Trojans to 2.5. It was a rout in every sense, and it pushed the Irish to 6-1.

Here’s the basics: Notre Dame is averaging over 300 yards rushing per game; Brian Kelly has completely remade the Irish offense to offset the team’s lack of a passing quarterback. The Irish passing game has been pretty bad, and that might be a kind interpretation. Notre Dame has no passing game to speak of.

Saturday night was something else, though. The Irish had 14 rushes of at least 10 yards and allowed USC three of the same. They had four completions of 20-plus yards despite quarterback Brandon Wimbush throwing just 19 passes; USC quarterbacks threw 36 passes and managed three such completions.

The Wolfpack have two wins over ranked opponents this fall, but victories over Florida State and Louisville no longer look impressive after those ACC foes have slid into extended slumps. Beating Notre Dame doesn’t just give the team another significant win — it could also be the springboard to a College Football Playoff berth. Especially if it can give NC State a little confidence boost in advance of next week’s game against Clemson.

One-loss Notre Dame has looked better and better as the season wears on, and while NC State is a good team, home-field advantage could swing what looks to be a close game. The Irish have won their last five games by 20 points or more, and while the Wolfpack will cut into that margin, expect Notre Dame’s revival to continue.