Notre Dame QB Everett Golson threw for 200 yards and two TDs in the Irish's 21-6 win over Boston College. Notre Dame faces Wake Forest next week before playing USC in its regular-season finale. (AP)

On a day when top-ranked Alabama fell to Texas A&M in dramatic fashion in Tuscaloosa, No. 4 Notre Dame received a much-needed breather in Saturday night’s 21-6 win at Boston College.

Entering the week, the Irish had won five of their first nine games by a touchdown or less, including a 29-26 triple overtime victory over Pittsburgh last Saturday. Notre Dame received a customary stifling effort from its defense and went on several back-breaking, time-consuming drives in the victory.

The Irish improved to 10-0 for the first time since 1993. Notre Dames' hopes for a national championship were spoiled that season by Boston College, which stunned the top-ranked Irish on a game-winning field goal by David Gordon with no time remaining.

Perhaps no team benefited more from Alabama’s defeat than the Irish. When the BCS standings are released Sunday, Notre Dame is expected to move into the top three. The Irish still may need a loss from Kansas State or Oregon to earn a spot in the BCS National Championship.

Notre Dame hosts Wake Forest in its home finale Saturday before it travels to Los Angeles to face USC on Nov. 24.

“There’s three team that are undefeated and get a chance to play for the national championship,” Irish coach Brian Kelly told ABC after the win. “We’re one of the three and we have to beat Wake Forest or it really doesn’t matter.”

The Irish had only five drives in the first three quarters, but three went for 65 yards or longer. All three drives resulted in touchdowns and consisted of nine plays or more.

Notre Dame’s ability to control the clock in recent weeks also underscores the continual improvement of QB Everett Golson, who was 16 of 24 for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

From the outset, Golson demonstrated poise running the offense. Backed up to its 5 on its opening drive of the game, Golson calmly led the Irish on a 13-play, 95-yard drive. The series culminated in a 2-yard touchdown run by Golson. Notre Dame also ended the half with a 16-play, 87-yard drive that ended in a 5-yard touchdown catch by TE Troy Niklas.

The Irish have worn down opponents throughout the season with long drives and punishing ground game. Heading into Week 10, Notre Dame led FBS in drives of five minutes or more with 14, according to ESPN Stats & Info. The Irish also ranked second behind Oregon in drives of 10 plays or more against FBS opponents with 19.

In efforts to eliminate the Irish vertical passing game, Boston College (2-8, 1-5 ACC) primarily played both its safeties in deep coverage. Notre Dame exploited the strategy by targeting TE Tyler Eifert on short and intermediate routes underneath. Eifert finished with a team-high six catches for 67 yards. The Irish were particularly effective on third-downs as they converted on all eight opportunities in the first half and were 11 of 14 on third-down conversions overall.

Leading 14-3 at the start of the third quarter, Notre Dame virtually put the game away with another lengthy drive. Golson led a nine-play, 65-yard drive that ended with an 18-yard completion to WR John Goodman. Flushed from the pocket, Golson rolled to his right, threw across the field and connected with Goodman in the left corner of the end zone. The play was nearly identical to Goodman’s touchdown against Michigan State in Week 3.

“I think Everett continues to get better and better,” Kelly told ABC. “He threw the ball much better, he makes plays and picked up some crucial third downs for us.”

DT Nix ejected: Louis Nix, a junior, was ejected with 1:01 remaining after a scuffle with Boston College sophomore offensive lineman Bobby Vardaro.

Vardaro took exception to a late hit from Irish DL Tony Springmann on Eagles QB Chase Rettig. When Vardaro retaliated with a shot on Springmann, Nix stepped in. Both players were ejected after the brief altercation.

 (For more on the game, check out CBSSports.com's Eye on College Football blog)

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis on Notre Dame football, follow bloggers Evan Hilbert and Matt Rybaltowski @CBSBigEast.