After a strong start to the season, Notre Dame fans can sense that a BCS bowl or even a national title might be in their future.

The Irish already have wins over Michigan and Michigan State, and with teams like Oklahoma, BYU, Stanford and USC on the schedule, Notre Dame might have the strength of schedule to make it to the No. 1 or No. 2 spot in the final BCS rankings and bust into the BCS title game.

After all, the Fighting Irish have been waiting for an opportunity like this since Lou Holtz retired. 

However, could all of those hopes and dreams come crashing down against Miami next week?

The Hurricanes know how Notre Dame feels. After all, they are another proud national championship-quality program that hasn't played for a national title in a while. 

But that won't stop Miami from playing spoiler for Notre Dame and enjoying it.

Now, Miami doesn't have any strong national championship hopes after losing to Kansas State. But the Hurricanes already have a 3-0 record in the ACC and sit alone atop the ACC Coastal. An appearance in the Orange Bowl isn't out of the question.

Now, is Miami good enough to end Notre Dame's unbeaten run and its national title hopes?

The Hurricanes have the most potent offense that Notre Dame has faced. True, the Irish did face Denard Robinson and Michigan, but the Wolverines haven't looked all that impressive on offense. 

Miami has looked good on offense.

Hurricane QB Stephen Morris set school and conference records with 566 yards passing against North Carolina State. He also threw for five touchdowns.

That's right—566 yards.

Just think about the quarterbacks who have come through Miami over the years, from Bernie Kosar to Vinny Testaverde to Gino Torretta to Ken Dorsey. Morris' game on Saturday eclipsed them all.

That has to have gotten Notre Dame's attention.

Now, Miami doesn't have a lights-out defense like Notre Dame, but the Irish haven't gotten things going on offense. Apart from Week 1's rout of poor Navy, Notre Dame hasn't managed more than 20 points in a game.

In other words, Notre Dame doesn't have the firepower to run with Miami if its defense can't slow down the Hurricanes.

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It's good for the Irish that they have one of the top defenses in the nation, led by All-American linebacker Manti Te'o. Notre Dame is No. 4 in the nation in scoring defense, giving up only nine points per game.

But something tells me that Miami should score more than nine points next week. That means the pressure will be on quarterback Everett Golson and the Notre Dame offense.

So, will Miami ruin Notre Dame's undefeated season as well as its national title hopes?

I don't know. But what I do know is that I'll be watching this game very closely.

I recommend that you do the same.

It should be a good one!