Notre Dame Football Matchups: Maintaining Focus Is Key vs. Stanford

Notre Dame showed plenty of resiliency in last weekend’s torrential downpour, beating North Carolina 37-26 in Chapel Hill. The victory made Marcus Freeman the first head coach in Notre Dame history to win 15 consecutive games by double digits. It also moved the Irish ahead of Florida State and Clemson and into a tie with Florida for second all-time with 15 straight wins by 10 or more points, behind only Miami’s 17. Historically, teams with 14 or more straight double-digit wins have gone on to win the national championship.

Next up is a Stanford team that was routed 57-3 at Wake Forest last weekend. For Notre Dame, the key is simple: do not overlook the Cardinal while looking ahead to BYU.

When Stanford Has the Ball

Stanford Offense vs. Notre Dame Defense

Out of 138 FBS teams, Stanford ranks 114th in total offense at 336.6 yards per game. The Cardinal has faced one ranked opponent through five games, and that came last month against Miami. In that one, the Hurricanes held Stanford to 299 total yards.

This week, Stanford faces a Notre Dame defense ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense, allowing 216.4 yards per game. Reaching 300 yards would be an accomplishment for the Cardinal.

Edge: Notre Dame

QB Davis Warren – Stanford vs. Notre Dame Secondary

Stanford quarterback Davis Warren ranks 32nd in the FBS in passing yards with 1,207 and 39th in passing yards per game at 241.40. A big reason for that volume is game script: Stanford has been forced to throw after falling behind early in most of its games, and it also owns the nation’s 135th-ranked rushing offense.

Fortunately for Warren, Notre Dame All-American cornerback Leonard Moore is questionable for Saturday with a concussion. Marcus Freeman announced that Michigan transfer Jayden Sanders would replace Moore if needed. DJ McKinney would start opposite Sanders, with Mark Zackery serving as a reserve. Even so, any of those combinations should be enough to handle Stanford’s aerial attack.

Edge: Notre Dame

Carr Should Have Room to Work

Passing Defense – Stanford vs. CJ Carr – Notre Dame

Stanford’s pass defense has been every bit as shaky as its offense. The Cardinal ranks 128th in pass efficiency defense, allowing opposing quarterbacks an efficiency rating of 156.64. Stanford is also second-to-last nationally in passing yards allowed at 299.8 per game.

That is bad news against one of the nation’s premier quarterbacks in CJ Carr. The Heisman hopeful currently ranks seventh in passing efficiency at 185.04. Carr has completed 88 of 124 attempts for 1,197 yards, 13 touchdowns, and one interception. Only three Notre Dame wide receivers caught passes against North Carolina, so expect Carr to spread the ball to some different targets downfield against Stanford.

Edge: Notre Dame

The Ground Game Matchups

Stanford Rushing Defense vs. Notre Dame Rushing Offense

After five games, Stanford has allowed 795 rushing yards, an average of 159 per game. On the other side, figuring out who would replace Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price remains an important question for Notre Dame’s offense. The Irish rank 65th in rushing offense at 161.6 yards per game, with 808 rushing yards on the season.

Still, through five games it is becoming clearer that freshman Jonaz Walton may be the answer. Last weekend, he became the first Notre Dame freshman running back to post a 100-yard game since 2020. The staff will likely continue to rely on a committee as the backs build better rapport with the offensive line, but Notre Dame should still top its season rushing average in this one.

Edge: Notre Dame

Stanford Rushing Offense vs. Notre Dame Rushing Defense

Stanford is usually associated with smash-mouth football and a reliable run game, but that has not been the case this season. The Cardinal ranks 135th in rushing offense, averaging 88.8 yards per game and totaling 444 rushing yards through five games.

It will not get easier this weekend against a Notre Dame defense ranked fourth nationally against the run. The Irish are allowing just 58.4 rushing yards per game and only two yards per carry.

Edge: Notre Dame