Air Force @ Notre Dame preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 10, 2007 ) Air Force 41, Notre Dame 24

THE STORY: Notre Dame returns home after back-to-back road wins to take on Air Force Saturday afternoon. The Fighting Irish have won three straight overall after a 0-2 start, including a 38-10 rout at Purdue last weekend. The Falcons, meanwhile, come in off a thrilling 35-34 overtime win at Navy.

TV: NBC. LINE: Notre Dame -16.

ABOUT AIR FORCE (3-1): The Falcons have assumed their usual position near the top of the FBS in rushing offense, ranking third in the nation with an average of 364.5 yards on the ground. RB Asher Clark leads a balanced attack with 382 yards rushing, while QB Tim Jefferson has rushed for 210 yards while completing 70 percent of his passes for 493 yards and five touchdowns. LB Brady Amack has 43 tackles in four games.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (3-2): The Fighting Irish boast two of the nation's most explosive offensive players in RB Cierre Wood (14th nationally in rushing with 584 yards) and WR Michael Floyd (47 catches, 561 yards). Notre Dame entered the Purdue game tied for last in the FBS with 15 turnovers but did not commit any against the Boilermakers. The team still ranks 117th nationally in turnover margin.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Notre Dame owns a 22-6 record against Air Force and has won 11 of the last 13 meetings, but the Falcons took the last showdown, earning a 41-24 road victory in 2007.

2. The Fighting Irish are 37-5 against service academies since 1986, but four of those five losses have come in the last four years, including a 35-17 defeat against Navy last season.

3. Two of the 11 overtime contests in Notre Dame history have come against Air Force, including the school's first ever. The Falcons earned a 20-17 win at Notre Dame Stadium in 1996.

PREDICTION: Notre Dame 31, Air Force 20 -- The Falcons should be able to move the ball on the ground and keep the game interesting for a while, but the Fighting Irish simply have too much firepower.