Notre Dame already lost one home game to a Mid-American Conference opponent. The Irish are doing everything possible to avoid a repeat.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — For the second time in three weeks, Notre Dame will host a MAC opponent as a four-touchdown favorite. And there’s a good chance the experience against Northern Illinois will inform how Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m., NBC) unfolds against Miami (Ohio).

Notre Dame faces Miami (Ohio) at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in South Bend. Despite the Irish losing to another Mid-American Conference school in Week 2, the national experts like them to roll over the RedHawks in Week 4.