The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, ranked No. 7 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and No. 5 in the AP poll, are set to host the Northern Illinois Huskies in their home opener on Saturday, September 7, with kickoff at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Coming off a significant victory against Texas A&M, the Irish aim to avoid a potential letdown against an opponent perceived as less challenging. Head Coach Marcus Freeman is optimistic about his team's growth and believes they are better equipped to handle this matchup compared to previous seasons. The game will also serve as an opportunity for Notre Dame to refine its offensive and defensive strategies. Fans can watch the game on NBC or stream it through Fubo. Coverage starts at 1:30 p.m. on WBBM 780 AM and the Audacy App.