SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The Notre Dame defense is about to find out just how much it has improved since its dismal start.Statistically, the Irish look much better since Brian VanGorder was fired as defensive coordinator on Sept. 25, the day after 38-35 loss to Duke. The Irish were ranked 103rd out of 128 teams in total defense, giving up 456 yards a game, when they fell to 1-3.Heading into their final two games against Virginia Tech (7-3) and USC, Notre Dame (4-6) ranks 39th in the nation in total defense, giving up an average of 371 yards a game. Take away those first four games and the Irish are surrendering 315 yards a game, which would place them 14th in the nation in total defense.The Irish, though, are about to face two of the three best offenses theyve faced all season. The Hokies rank 43rd in the nation in total offense at 444 yards a game and USC (7-3) ranks No. 29 at 469 yards a game.The only team the Irish have faced with a higher-rated offense is Texas at No. 14 at 503 yards a game. The Longhorns beat the Irish 50-47 in double overtime in the season opener.Coach Brian Kelly said while the Irish could become bowl eligible with two victories and improve their image with wins over Virginia Tech, which was ranked No. 18 before being upset by Georgia Tech last week, and No. 15 Southern California, which has won six straight after a 1/3 start, his focus is building on Notre Dames best all-around performance in a 44-6 win over Army on Saturday.You want all of the things that you worked so hard on all year to come together in these last two games, he said. That is, for us, finishing games, playing the game for us with a mental and physical toughness that at times was not at its best. Its now coming together. And I think that regardless of how were perceived, I think the most important thing is to play the way were capable of playing. Thats what Im looking at more than anything else.Kelly said hes not losing sleep over whether the Irish will get to a bowl. Kelly was asked whether he would want to play in a bowl with a 5-7 record. Last season three 5-7 teams went to bowl games because there werent enough teams with records above .500.I havent given it much thought, to be honest with you. I think those scenarios I would address at the end of the year, he said.---More AP college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org Authentic Air Max 270 NZ . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. Discount Air Max 270 NZ . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. http://www.airmax270outletnz.com/ . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Cheap Air Max 270 NZ Outlet . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Wholesale Air Max 270 NZ .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. ZAGREB, Croatia -- International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach is quoted as saying his absence from the opening of the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro has nothing to do with the charges brought by Brazilian prosecutors against another high-ranking IOC official.Olympic Council of Ireland President Patrick Hickey is among ten people facing charges of ticket scalping, conspiracy and ambush marketing related to last months Olympics.Police investigators have said they wanted to speak with Bach about email exchanges he had with Hickey related to Irelands ticket allocation.Bach, who traveled to Zagreb, Croatia, this week, said he missed the ceremony to attend the funeral in Germany for former West Germany president Walter Scheel.In comments translated into Croatian and published on the Croatian Olympic Committee website, Bach also said he didnt want to cancel a visit to the country for the second time in just three months.dddddddddddd He missed the International Skating Union Congress in Dubrovnik in June to attend the funeral of Muhammad Ali.Choosing between the trip to Rio and the funeral of a close friend whom I had known for more than forty years, the human reasons prevailed, Bach was quoted as saying.He adds that Hickey is innocent until proven guilty and I, as the president of the IOC, have received no official request from the Brazilian authorities. ' ' '