Quick Shots: Notre Dame Vs. Stanford

Atlanta, Ga.—Is Notre Dame ready for Stanford?  This is a quick shot, so don't blink or you'll miss it.

Stanford is coming off a two-game winning streak against San Jose St. (23-10) and Washington (35-28).  While momentum is building for the Cardinal, Stanford hasn't been without its woes.  In the Cardinal's two losses, it has lost by an average of 21 points.  Stanford can put up numbers, but it can also be held to 17 or less.

Charlie Weis cites the dual running threat of Toby Gerhart and Anthony Kimble as a real obstacle for the Irish defense, but the Stanford passing game has been less than stellar.  Led by Tavita Pritchard, the Cardinal is only passing for 140 yards per game with Pritchard throwing four touchdowns and four interceptions in five contests.

The Cardinal will rely heavily on the ground game of Gerhart and Kimble, even though Gerhart is questionable for the trip to South Bend.

What can you expect from the Irish?  Well, that is the question, isn't it?  With a team laden with young superstars, consistency will be a problem all season.  Will the Irish ride the wave it caught in the second half of the Purdue game, or will it come out slow as it has done so many times already?

It is doubtful the Irish will have a letdown, but not improbable that it won't find its comfort zone until the second half again.

Despite the worries, I expect the Irish to be in true second-half-of-the-Purdue-game form.  The line is gaining more confidence, and it appears the Irish have finally embraced an identity as a pass-first team.

With playmakers like Floyd and Tate posing a deep threat every play and an experienced talent at wide receiver like Grimes maintaining the fundamentals necessary to make plays, Clausen and the Irish should explode on Stanford to the tune of 42 points at minimum.

Did I mention the speed at tight end?  Oh yeah, that guy Kyle Rudolph can flat-out fly up the field.  Look for more involvement from him this game too. 

Yes, Jim Harbaugh is infusing excitement and talent into this Stanford team, but a one-dimensional offense outmatched on both sides of the ball will yield to the Irish despite putting up points.

Notre Dame's defense, while it struggles against the run at times, will load up the box and force Pritchard to get uncomfortable and pass.  Every Irish fan knows this plays right into Notre Dame's hands, because the Irish secondary is fast, deep, and more than capable of making the big plays necessary to stop a Stanford aerial assault.

In the end, look for a confident Clausen to march the Irish down the field, supported by a few big runs by Armando Allen.  Once Stanford is sufficiently confused, look for instant scoring strikes.

On defense, the Irish will probably give up an early touchdown, but then the defense will stiffen up and cause a few turnovers.

Additionally, the Irish should celebrate the return of the Notre Dame kicking game.  If given the chance, Brandon Walker will make all of his field goals.  It's a mental thing for those guys, and Walker seems to be back from lala land.

Go Irish!  Beat Stanford!

Final Prediction: Notre Dame 45, Stanford 17