Matt Vassar Stanford 31, Notre Dame 27. Notre Dame is going to be a tough out. Even with C.J. Prosise out, they still have so many offensive weapons and so many ways to burn you, so I just don't see Stanford leaving this Notre Dame team in its dust like Stanford had so many other teams this season. That said, Notre Dame's rush defense is only mediocre, and this should allow Christian McCaffrey to put up a good number of rushing yards and continue to make his case for the Heisman when everybody is watching him play against a top ten team. I also like McCaffrey's odds of extending his school record steak to ten consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards, and I think the Cardinal have just enough to edge out Notre Dame in this game. And if Stanford does edge out Notre Dame, there may be something more than just bragging rights at stake.
Click below to listen to Matt Vassar commenting on the surprising CFP rankings from Tuesday, and how the CFP has now opened up several chaos scenarios that every Stanford fan should be rooting for:
twitter: @CardinalVassar
Nerdnation23: Stanford and Notre Dame have been close games the last couple of years regardless of who's playing on either side. This top-ranked showdown will go down to the wire with Stanford getting a late field goal to go up 9 and seal the game. Stanford 30 Notre Dame 21.
TonyFernandesSports: Stanford 27, Notre Dame 24. This game is going to come down to who has the ball last. Notre Dame has a stellar defense, and have played well with a back up QB all season. I just see a little retribution from last year, when Stanford played conservative and lost the game late. That loss spiraled the Cardinal a bit last season, and I see them not allowing that to happen again this season. I honestly do not see McCaffrey running wild this week, and feel that it will be up to the leadership of Hogan and his ability to maintain the "Time of Possession" battle to lead Stanford to victory.
twitter: @tonefernsports
Sean Levy: Stanford has shown week in week out that their secondary isn't that great. With a speedster like Fuller they will be exploited all game. This will open up the running game by putting more people in coverage. On the defensive side of the ball Notre Dame has a good line and the best linebacker in football. I expect Hogan to come out throwing bullets instead of running first. I say Brian Kelly gets his first win in Palo Alto. 21-17
twitter: @Slevy1369
Comments
Notre Dame is #4, or #6, or #9 — or something. Anyway, it’s a smaller number than Stanford’s, so they must better.
Dame wins.
Sometimes (i.e., usually) I am wrong.
By Cardinal&Orange on 11.28.15 5:56am
You weren't wrong against Oregon
And I am still trying to muster the magnanimity to forgive you.
I have predicted every game right so far this season EXCEPT for Northwestern, Oregon and USC (yes, I thought we would get thumped by the Trojans). The only thing I got right about the Wazzu game was the W, otherwise I was way off. So let me take another risk at being wildly wrong; but as usual, of course, my prediction is colored by my being a shameless homer.
I predict, first, that this game will be more about Hogan than McCaffrey. In his last home game, Hogan delivers an inspired performance and slices up the Notre Dame defense with brilliant passing. McCaffrey gets his 100+ yards on the ground, but they are balanced by Hogan’s offensive productivity with short routes, a few well-placed long balls, some screens and a few rambles with his legs. Notre Dame’s defense is bewildered by the onslaught. Our defense delivers a serviceable performance and gets its first score since the UCLA game through a scoop and run. The final score 45-24.
Even if I am wrong, I like that scenario. Hogan deserves an excellent last game at home; and anything less would be void of poetic justice.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 11.28.15 6:34am
Those damn Dux ruined my record of immaculate futility.
In all seriousness, it appears to me that ND’s strengths mitigate Stanford’s. Their offense is similar to Oregon’s in the sense that it’s explosive and balanced, while their defense is kind of like Northwestern’s. This deep analysis is based on a few previews I’ve read or heard, and seeing about 30 minutes of actual ND game play over the course of the season.
Also, Hogan hasn’t looked so crisp lately when facing pressure, and the Dame d-line seems like it’s good enough to do some of that.
Last, Stanford will hold back their best plays. The CFP is still possible, but the CCG is a sure thing a week from now. Based on my lengthy study of David Shaw’s facial expressions, I have deduced that he’s more concerned with winning the latter than getting into the former.
By Cardinal&Orange on 11.28.15 7:10am
Well, my prediction assumes
that our O-line has an excellent game and gives Hogan the time he needs. I am also assuming that Kizer produces a youthful error for every flash of brilliance and that we capitalize on that. I am thinking of the Hogan performance vs. UCLA last year, when he and the O-line had a break-out game and thumped the favored Bruins 31-10 in Pasadena. Who would have predicted that score in advance? I am looking for a similar surprise this year. Notre Dame was flat and unimpressive in their victory last week; and I see that carrying over in an away game with everything on the line. Their second loss of the season is hanging in the air. Stanford, by contrast, is in a virtual exhibition game (as you correctly note, the CCG is much more important to the team, because that gets us the Rose Bowl, while the CFP is only an outside shot). In my view, that will render the team loose and carefree, which should cause Hogan and Shaw to open things up a bit. No, not revealing secret plays, but going long, going slant, going screen, going play-option, etc. If we lose, we drop in the rankings, but still have everything to play for. ND, by contrast, has a lot to lose; and that will have an impact on their style.
Of course, I could make an argument for exactly the opposite; but half the fun of predicting is giving full rein to one’s unabashed wishful thinking.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 11.28.15 7:30am
Geez, I was almost right — scary.
2 more chances to drive down my correctness percentage even more.
By Cardinal&Orange on 11.28.15 8:36pm
New 4* Commit
Saw this earlier this morning: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865642564/Brighton-four-star-recruit-Sione-Lund-commits-to-play-at-Stanford.html
Notre Dame also offered him. He’ll be at the game today.
By Cardinal&Orange on 11.28.15 7:27am
IMO it will all be about Hogan.
We’ll win or lose based on his play.
Who shows up today, Good Hogan or Bad Hogan?
McCaffrey’s effectiveness will be dependent on Hogan’s decision making.
Our defense will be tested in a big way, but our offense performance will determine the game.
By Cardinal-in-TX on 11.28.15 8:55am
I agree with this
By nickdempsey on 11.28.15 10:09am
I was sure we'd lose against Oregon.
This game I think the matchups are a little more in our favor, and I think we pull it out.
I actually see McCaffrey having a monster day in all phases of the game.
By drkato9 on 11.28.15 10:44am
If Ronnie Harris is healthy enough to play, I feel good about Stanford
If he can’t go, we need good Hogan to show up in a big way.
By worldblee on 11.28.15 12:48pm
All pre-game indications
say Ronnie Harris will not play.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 11.28.15 12:53pm
OK, those of you who picked against Stanford -- turn in your badges. We no longer need your services.
Vasser got it about right, except the game winning FG as time expired.
The game was never in doubt. Home team has won the last five, even with both teams ranked.
By ADPATERSON on 11.30.15 10:13pm