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The question being posed this week is: How good is Notre Dame? While the Fighting Irish's 7-0 record is really all that counts, a quick look at the nation's statistical leaders shows there might be some luck of the Irish involved in ND's fast start.
You be the judge:
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Notre Dame vs. Nation's Best
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Players
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Category
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Player
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Total (Rank)
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NCAA Leader
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Total
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Rushing Yards
(per game)
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Ryan Grant
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102.7 (29)
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Chris Brown
Colorado
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164.9
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Passing Efficiency
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Carlyle Holiday
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104.4 (94)
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Philip Rivers
NC State
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170.8
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Receiving Yards
(per game)
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Arnaz Battle
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55.7 (NR)
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J.R. Tolver
San Diego State
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152.1
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Field Goal
Accuracy
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Nick Setta
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8-18 (NR)
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Mike Nugent
Ohio State
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16-16
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Interceptions
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Shane Walton
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6 (T-2)
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L. Elpheage
Tulane
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7
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Notre Dame vs. Nation's Best
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Team Offense
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Category
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ND rank
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Average
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NCAA Leader
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Average
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Rushing Yards
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44
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170.1
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Air Force
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305.6
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Passing Yards
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105
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144.9
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Marshall
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402.8
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Total Yards
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109
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315.0
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Marshall
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560.7
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Scoring
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89
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22.6
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Bowling Green
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49.3
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Team Defense
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Category |
ND rank |
Average
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NCAA Leader
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Average
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Rushing Yards
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6
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80.1
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Virginia Tech
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41.0
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Passing Yards
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36
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195.7
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Miami
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117.8
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Total Yards
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10
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275.9
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LSU
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217.4
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Scoring
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3
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12.0
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Virginia Tech
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10.9
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Turnover
Margin
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17 (tie)
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+1.14
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California
Virginia Tech
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+2.0
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