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).

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish return to South Bend this weekend to take on the Miami of Ohio Redhawks. Last week, the Irish easily took care of the Purdue Boilermakers 66-7, but the stunning loss to NIU lingers around the program like a stale fart in late night bedroom.