Turnovers put the Irish on the edge of defeat for the second straight week and the surprising Irish defense, that had gotten much praise all season, came back to earth with a thud. But, in the end Notre Dame managed to pull out a 50-43 victory over North Carolina, remained undefeated at 6-0, and faces number two Florida State tonight in the third "big" October showdown.

Everett Golson committed three more turnovers that led to three Tar Heels' scores. Golson now has nine turnovers in the last three games. But make no mistake about it, without him I doubt ND would still be undefeated.Despite the mistakes the Irish manage to pull out victories because the offense is improving each week. If it wasn't for the turnovers, last week's game would not have been nearly as close.The defense came back to earth last week. After five games of impressive performances, the young defense looked anything but the image of the "D" which held Stanford to 47 total yards, blanked Michigan, and stuffed a determined Purdue.The game point total was the most ever given up in a victory and the most total yards given up to an opposing offense (510) since the Alabama rout in the national title game two years ago.Tonight FSU presents a real problem for the young Irish defense, especially the secondary. The Seminoles have one of the best passing offenses (13th in yards and 28th in efficiency) and is ranked 32nd in total offense and 20th in scoring offense.The Irish defense looked tired and confused in the second half. Part of the problem was the hurry-up offense of the Tar Heels, especially when they got in the Irish red zone. The defense did not have time to get the personnel needed in the game for the defensive set the Irish wanted to run.More on the game later.ND faces a Seminole team that is also 6-0 led by "bad boy" quarterback Jameis Winston, the Heisman Trophy winner of a year ago. He has been in trouble since earlier this year when a fellow female student accused him of sexual assault. He also has been in trouble with the school for allegedly violating the honors code. But he is a winner and an excellent QB despite any off the field problems.Winston has completed 126 of 180 passes for 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. His top receivers are Rashad Greene with 44 catches for 683 yards and three scores; Nick O'Leary, 24-277 and two; and Jesus Wilson, 21-262 and four scores. Top rushers are Karlos Williams with 367 yards on 74 carries and five TDs, and Mario Pender, 209-32 and four scores.FSU averages 138.5 yards rushing per game but a big 324 yards passing per game.FSU owns wins over Oklahoma State, 37-31; The Citadel, 47-12; Clemson, 23-17 in overtime; North Carolina State, 56-41; Wake Forest, 43-3; and Syracuse, 38-20.The Seminoles are the defending national champions and have won 22 in a row.FSU leads the series, 5-2-0, last winning in 2011, 18-14. ND's last win was in 2002, 34-24.IRISH NOTES: ND ended with 219 rushing yards to 184 for NC and 300 passing compared to 360 for NC. Golson was 21 of 31 passing with three touchdowns and one interception that was run back for a score. Tarean Folston had a career-type day for the Irish rushing for 98 yards on 18 carries and two TDs and catching five passes for 71 yards and a score. Golson ran 12 times for 71 yards, Amir Carlisle, three for 19, Greg Bryant, four for 17 and a score, and Cam McDaniel just 10 on three rushes. Top receivers were Will Fuller with seven catches for 133 yards, two scores, Chris Brown, two for 30, and Corey Robinson, two for 24. Joe Schmidt led the defense with 11 tackles, Max Redfield 10 ... The game was the highest scoring game in the stadium history ... Head coach Brian Kelly said it best after the game, "Lots of points, lots of penalties, lots of turnovers, lots of things to correct." .... Another tough break for safety Austin Collinsworth. He suffered a dislocated shoulder in the first quarter of only his second game after sitting out the first four due to a knee injury he suffered in practice two days before the Rice game. He will be out four to six weeks ... The poor defensive showing had the Irish drop in the national defensive ratings. ND is now 19th against the run, 41st against the pass, 34th in total defense, and eighth in scoring defense ... Fuller ranks fifth nationally in TD receptions with seven ... Sophomore cornerback Cole Luke had his third interception in the past two games last week, and stands 17th in interceptions per game ... Two of the five suspended players at ND have learned their fate. Both wide receiver DaVaris Daniels and defensive end Ishaq Williams will not play this year. For Daniels, a senior, his career is over at ND. Williams, also a senior, could come back next year as he has a year of eligibility left ... Kelly said the Irish are preparing for the game as though Winston will play ... In my preseason picks I have FSU winning tonight. The Irish are 12-point plus underdogs. If ND tunrs the ball over like the past three games then this will be a rout for FSU. If ND does not turn the ball over they might able to keep it respectible. I expect a one-sided win for Florida State.