Notre Dame Vs Stanford Predictions

Stanford comes into this game at 9-2 having lost the opener to Northwestern 16-6 and Oregon 38-36 along with an outstanding all around back Christian McCaffrey.

McCaffrey is a 6′ 200 lb shifty speedster who has 2800 all purpose yards. He does everything including kick-offs, punt returns, RB, Pass receiver as well as Passer. This against a ND defense that is leaking air and simply cannot execute Brian VanGorder’s complicated defense.

Flashback to 2009 when Stanford had another outstanding back named Toby Gerhart. McCaffrey is not a power back but a very agile, elusive speedster.

Stanford has run out of the outstanding D players from the past and now just want to hold opponents to FG’s – the old bend/break defense. They want to make Kizer beat them so look for them to box Fuller and just give up the short pass.

Without Prosise ND is in trouble here. While ND has great receivers none has the breakaway speed to go the distance.

I expect Kizer to play well, but the OL folding trying to punch it in in the redzone. I believe the only chance ND has is to go all Mike Leach on them and throw just about every down.

ND will put up a fight early, but as the game goes on the defense will fold with the exception of Sheldon Day. Look for Stanford to try to isolate McCaffrey on Joe Schmidt out of the backfield.

Stanford 42 Notre Dame 31