SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- I was at the gym the other day and one of the trainers made a remark about how great a season Notre Dame has had so far. Then he said something that stopped me in my tracks. "I just hope they don't choke."

	Despite their record, Ty & Co. are still a work in progress.

I remained silent, but a question burned inside me: has he been watching the same team I have? I mean, to hope they don't choke suggests that this team has already arrived. It suggests that this is a polished, well-oiled machine riding a huge winning streak, trying to stay at the top of the heap. Far from it.

Coach Tyrone Willingham knows this is still very much a work in progress. "There isn't a team that will play a perfect game, and I won't coach a perfect game," he told me. These guys make mistakes. They get lined up wrong, they jump offsides, and they're still learning to play special teams. What they consistently do well is execute the one concept that's fundamental to any team that gains any measure of success. They fight.

Anyone who knows anything about football knows that before you get into your stance, or run the right route, or learn to throw the perfect deep ball, you have to be prepared to kick someone's ass. This team keeps winning because they outscrap people. Oh, don't get me wrong. As far as executing schemes, these guys improve each week. Hell, some, like QB Carlyle Holiday, improve each day.

Jordan Black: Leading by example Michigan St. wrap-up: Some wins are bigger than others Arnaz Battle: Battle has just begun Michigan wrap-up: Meet the new ND Michigan preview: Wolverines just another opponent Purdue wrap-up: There's no place like Dome Purdue preview: Next up: Boilermaker's high-octane O Maryland wrap-up: Irish off and running Maryland preview: The mystery ends Saturday Season preview: Ty's plan: "Return to Glory"

I don't know about you, but if I was looking for something flawless in beauty and execution, I'd park myself in some art gallery and gaze upon a print of Waterlilies until Monet's exactness left me blind. But if I'm looking for excitement and unpredictability, I'll check out a college football team.

I was talking to Vontez Duff the other day. Along with Arnaz Battle, Shane Walton and Holiday, he's one of the best athletes on this team. When I asked him what he needed to improve on, he didn't hestiate to say "everything." He mentioned his technique in press coverage, playing the the ball in the air, even his confidence. This is a kid who, I'm fairly certain, will play on Sundays. But you think he views himself as one who's already arrived? And have you seen the cat who coaches these guys? You think Tyrone Willingham understands any part of the word contentment? Don't think so.

I think before you choke you have to swallow what you're being fed. And since Ty's latest mantra is borrowed from an old Public Enemy track -- "don't believe the hype" -- I doubt that's the case around here.

Yeah, he's excited to play Stanford. How could he not be? But if you're a coach who's worth a damn, or a team that's worth a damn, your on-field preparation does. not. ever. change.

You keep making mistakes. You keep getting better. And you don't believe the hype.

Alan Grant, a senior reporter for ESPN The Magazine, is spending the season in South Bend. Look for his regular reports on ESPN.com. E-mail him at alan.grant@espn3.com