South Bend Tribune/JAMES BROSHER

South Bend Tribune/JAMES BROSHER Notre Dame cornerback Josh Atkinson celebrates with the Irish student section after a win against Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at Notre Dame. (September 23, 2012)

By ERIC HANSEN - Follow me @hansenNDInsider South Bend Tribune WSBT-TV

12:19 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2012
SOUTH BEND – Is Notre Dame back?

Well, the Irish football team is back in the top 10 of the Associated Press college poll for the first time since 2006, moving up a spot to No. 10 Sunday after Saturday night’s 13-6 victory over then-No. 18 Michigan.

The Wolverines (2-2) fell out of the poll. The Irish, off to their first 4-0 start since 2002, are No. 8 this week in the Sagarin computer rankings.

The biggest statistical turnaround for Notre Dame comes in the category of turnover margin. The Irish are fifth nationally in turnover margin (out of 120). A year ago this week, the Irish were 120th.

The defense continues to fuel ND’s surge in the polls. ND’s national scoring defense ranking is fourth, and its 36 points allowed through four games is the fewest since the 1975 Irish yielded 20.