Notre Dame RB Cierre Wood and the Irish's rushing attack will look to exploit a porous Boston College rush defense in Saturday's matchup. (AP)

No. 4 Notre Dame (9-0) at Boston College (2-7, 1-5 ACC)

Kickoff: Saturday, 8 PM ET, ABC

Spread: Notre Dame by 19

Watchability: High. Though Boston College is in last place in the Atlantic Division of the ACC, the Irish likely won’t take the Eagles lightly. The last three times Notre Dame has faced Boston College while ranked in the Top 10, the Irish have come up short. In the last 20 years, Notre Dame has been undefeated twice heading into November matchups against Boston College. Both times, the Eagles ruined the Irish chances of winning the national title.

Shining stars: Notre Dame -- RB Cierre Wood. The senior running back has gained 442 yards on 6.5 yards per carry in his last five games. Wood excels at following his blockers and running in between the tackles. Wood leads an Irish three-headed rushing attack that’s averaging more than 200 yards on the ground per game. Boston College, meanwhile, ranks 116th in FBS against the run (233.33 yards per game). Boston College -- WR Alex Amidon. The Eagles WR has averaged more than 115 receiving yards per game, ranking in the top 5 nationally in the category. Amidon is regarded for his precise route-running. Irish CBs KeiVarae Russell and Bennett Jackson must be aware of Amidon’s tendency for exploiting defensive backs on double moves.

Who could steal the show: Notre Dame -- WR DaVaris Daniels. The sophomore is coming off his top game of the season with seven catches for 86 yards against Pitt. Daniels hauled in a critical 45-yard catch on a game-tying drive in the final minutes. On Tuesday, Irish coach Brian Kelly said Daniels continues to improve with his route running. Earlier in the season, Daniels had a penchant for trying to use a shake move to elude defenders. As the season has progressed, Daniels has improved at heading straight downfield to gain more yards after the catch. Boston College -- QB Chase Rettig. With the Eagles frequently behind this year, Boston College has depended on Rettig’s arm to try to close the deficit. Rettig has averaged more than 39 pass attempts per game in the Eagles’ last three contests. He’s also averaged more than 300 yards per game during that span. Turnovers haven’t been a problem for Rettig in 2012, but he threw three in last week’s loss to Wake Forest.

You going? Ranking the road trip: It should be an exciting atmosphere in Chestnut Hill for the Eagles’ last game of the season against a ranked opponent. Kelly has already secured tickets for a large contingent of friends and family for Saturday’s game. A son of a Boston politician, Kelly grew up in Everett, several miles north of the city.

Magic number for Notre Dame: 0. The Irish are 9-0 under Kelly when they don’t commit a turnover. Notre Dame is also 23-4 in its last 27 games when it goes without one. The Irish committed three turnovers in last week’s win over Pitt.

Magic number for Boston College: 83. In two wins this season, the Eagles have allowed only 83 yards on the ground. In six others, though, Boston College has given up 200 yards or more including 516 against Army.

The game comes down to: Boston College’s ability to move the ball. When the Irish allowed 26 points last week against Pitt, it marked the first time this season Notre Dame surrendered more than 20 points this season. Notre Dame ranks second in FBS in scoring defense (11.67 ppg).

Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Boston College 10.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on Notre Dame football, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.