LDS average to 3.69 million for nine games.Fox said Friday its average for the Dodgers-Nationals and Cubs-Giants matchups increased 32 percent from las

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- ??? Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly was asked about the challenges he faces going against Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio, who he has faced four times and followed as coach at Cincinnati.Hes only about 190 pounds, so I dont have much of a challenge with him, he quipped. But their team is a challenge, if thats what you mean.The 12th-ranked Spartans (1-0) and 18th-ranked Fighting Irish (1-1) play on Saturday night, ending a two-year gap in the series that dates to 1897 and has been played regularly since 1948. Both teams have something to prove.The Spartans, who have finished ranked in the top six the past three seasons, are looking to show they are ready to be playoff contenders after an unimpressive 28-13 win over Furman. The Irish are looking to stay alive in the playoff race following a season-opening loss at No. 11 Texas.Dantonio said he has a lot to learn about his team.I think we have a good football team. I think weve got players. So, that remains to be seen, he said.Players on both teams say they expect a physical game. Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough recalled how hard-hitting the game was in a 17-13 Irish victory in 2013, the Spartans only loss that season.Notre Dame was a physical, fast, violent team. Kind of the same things that we pride ourselves on, he said.Notre Dame linebacker James Onwualu, who played in that 2013 game, describes the Spartans as hard-nosed.Everybodys been saying physical, physical, physical, he said.Kelly told his players they must remain poised.This is not a boxing match. This is not UFC, he said. What we cant get caught up in is the emotion of a game like this where words turn into poor actions.Other things to be aware of involving the Michigan State-Notre Dame game:WAITING GAMEMichigan State wasnt off last week because the Spartans wanted extra time to prepare for Notre Dame. It was because Alabama in 2013 canceled a pair of games against the Spartans. Dantonio concedes it wasnt an ideal time for an off week.I dont think there is anybody in our program that wanted to sit last weekend, he said.RETURNING PLAYERSMichigan State linebacker Ed Davis is expected to play after being granted a sixth year of eligibility because he missed last season with a knee injury. Dantonio said he doesnt know how much Davis will play. Davis was a starting linebacker for the Spartans in 2014, when he had 58 tackles and seven sacks.Kelly said receiver Torii Hunter Jr., who sat out against Nevada after sustaining a concussion against Texas, will play.TIGHT ENDSLast season, Notre Dame tight ends had a combined 20 receptions, the fewest in a season for the Irish since the tight ends had eight in 2001. Through two games the only Notre Dame tight end with a catch is Durham Smythe with one for eight yards. Kelly said the tight ends are still part of the game plan.If hes open and hes part of our progression, weve got to get the ball to them. Were just not going to force it to him, he said.RANKED GAMESMichigan State is 6-2 against ranked opponents the past three seasons. Notre Dame is 5-8.COACHING ADVICEKelly said he still gets hand-written notes weekly about the previous weeks games from 93-year-old Ara Parseghian, the Notre Dame coaching great who led the Irish to a famous 10-10 tie against the Spartans in 1966.I keep them all, Kelly said. They are for me they are inspirational in a sense that at 90-something years old he takes the time to write me a note and I can read them.Kelly said he keeps the notes in a book.---Online: AP college football site: http://collegefootball.ap.org Martinas Rankin Super Bowl Jersey . Olli Jokinen, Mark Scheifele, and Bryan Little each had a goal and an assist as Winnipeg won 5-2, handing Calgary its record-setting seventh consecutive loss on home ice. Joe Montana Super Bowl Jersey . Houston won 3-0 to advance to face New York in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Last in the game, Di Vaio and Romero got into a shoving match with several Houston players. Romero appeared to elbow and kick Houston defender Kofi Sarkodie. http://www.officialkcchiefspro.com/Travis-kelce-chiefs-jersey/ . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013. LeSean McCoy Super Bowl Jersey . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Chad Henne Super Bowl Jersey . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. NEW YORK -- Boosted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the NL Division Series outdrew its AL counterpart on television.The Dodgers 4-3 win over the Washington Nationals in Game 5 Thursday night was seen by an average of 4.52 million viewers on FS1, boosting the networks NLDS average to 3.69 million for nine games.Fox said Friday its average for the Dodgers-Nationals and Cubs-Giants matchups increased 32 percent from last years 2.8 million for the ALDS and by 18 percent from the 3.1 million for NLDS coverage in 2014.Thursday nights finale averaged 4.76 million viewers, including people who watched on Fox Deportes and online.TBSSs coverage of the ALDS between Toronto and Texas, and Cleveland and Boston averaged 3.dddddddddddd1 million viewers. Last years NLDS on TBS, featuring Dodgers-New York Mets and Cubs-St. Louis Cardinals matchups, averaged 5.4 million viewers, up from 3.6 million for the 2014 ALDS.Turner pointed out that its viewership this year was impacted by a presidential debate, the presence of a Canadian team not in a U.S. TV market and Hurricane Matthew, which impacted viewership in Florida, North Carolina and Virginia. ' ' '