Notre Dame won't be deterred by dismal recent history

Notre Dame has opened the season with eight consecutive wins while climbing to third in the BCS rankings heading into this weekend's game versus Pittsburgh.

The Fighting Irish have been in this position before as they opened the 2002 season with the same 8-0 record before losing to unranked Boston College, 14-7, at home.

In 1993, Notre Dame defeated No. 1 Florida State before falling to Boston College on the road, ending the Fighting Irish's chance at a national championship.

This year, Head Coach Brian Kelly said that he's not considering history but only the team's weekly preparation and effort.

Kelly told J.J. Stankevitz of CSNChicago.com: "History will have no effect on how this team plays."

Notre Dame will host Pittsburgh this Saturday before traveling to play Boston College on the road the following week. Pittsburgh and Boston College are a combined 6-10 this season.

The Fighting Irish will finish the season on the road against No. 17 USC on Nov. 24.