Notre Dame’s season-ending trip to California lacks the high stakes that often accompany its regular-season finale against Stanford or Southern California.
Hopes for a playoff berth or New Year’s Six bowl were put to rest with three losses already this season. So, the 19th-ranked Fighting Irish (8-3, No. 18 CFP) need to create their own motivation when they visit Stanford (3-8) on Saturday (6 p.m. CT, Pac-12 Network).
“It’s their job to make the choice that we’re going to be mentally ready to go,” coach Marcus Freeman said. “There’s no one answer that can guarantee it is going to happen, but it won’t be from a lack of effort from myself and our coaching staff to make sure this group is ready.”
The Cardinal are expecting just that from the Irish, especially after Stanford went to Notre Dame and pulled off a major upset last season.
“Yeah, they’re going to be … upset about that, and come out with some fire,” Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels said. “They want to finish the season off strong, all this kind of good stuff. But for us, I think we just have to bear down and get back to what we’re used to.”
The game against the Irish gives Stanford a chance to end a rough first season under coach Troy Taylor on a high note.
The Cardinal will try to avoid a third straight nine-loss season and end a 12-game losing streak against ranked opponents that dates to early in the 2021 season.
Road repentance
Notre Dame is 2-2 in true road games this season, where the Irish have averaged 27.3 points per game — more than 10 points fewer than what they score at home.
The culprit? Notre Dame’s offense has gotten off to a sluggish start and struggled to hold onto the football in those contests. The Irish averaged 3.3 points in the first quarter on the road, which is also where eight of the team’s 13 turnovers occurred.
“I don’t want to make this only a road issue, but we haven’t performed to our standard,” Freeman said. “As I studied those games, we have to start better. I think in both of those games, we were down (early).”
Home not so sweet home
Playing at home hasn’t quite been an advantage this season for the Cardinal. They have lost all six home games to extend their losing streak at Stanford Stadium to eight games. The Cardinal are in danger of their first winless season at home — excluding the pandemic season — since going 0-5 in 2006. The last FBS team to go 0-7 at home was Kansas in 2015.
“We got to get better in everything we do and certainly playing better at home is one of those things,” Taylor said.
Dual quarterbacks
Stanford’s offense shouldn’t scare anyone statistically. The Cardinal produce 350.7 yards (92nd) and 20.4 points (113th) per game. But don’t tell Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden that.
“I walked into Coach Golden’s offense on Sunday,” Freeman said, “and it was like a mad scientist with stuff all over the board. I (hadn’t) even started looking at Stanford yet. They’re going to have a lot for you to prepare for.”
Stanford’s offense employs a plethora of formations and personnel groups, including offensive sets that put athletic quarterbacks Ashton Daniels and Justin Lamson on the field at the same time.
“Some people might say they’re gimmicks. I think it’s clever, what they do,” Golden said. “I do. I think they’re clever. I think Coach Taylor is really good. Watched his body of work, and there are challenges all over the field.”
Just for kicks
One of the few bright spots this season for Stanford has been the play of kicker Joshua Karty. He made all three field goals last week — including two from at least 50 yards — to improve to 20 for 23 on the season. Karty is 38 for 41 the last two years for the Cardinal on field goals.
“He’s unbelievable,” Taylor said. “His professionalism, preparation, he’ll visualize things for an hour. He has a routine he sticks in to. He’ll kick in the NFL for 18 years. He’s unbelievable.”
Line: Notre Dame by 25 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook
Series record: Notre Dame leads 22-14
Key matchup
Notre Dame RB Audric Estime vs. Stanford run defense
Estime ran for 115 yards last week against Wake Forest to become the 13th Irish player to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a season and the 19th to reach 2,000 yards rushing in a career. The Cardinal have allowed 438 yards rushing the past two weeks after giving up only 95 in the two previous games.
Players to watch
Notre Dame: QB Sam Hartman threw four TD passes last week to move into fourth place all-time among FBS quarterbacks with 132. He needs three TD passes this week to move past Graham Harrell into third. Hartman had no TD passes and four INTs in the two previous games.
Stanford: QB Ashton Daniels threw for 188 yards and a TD last week in a loss to California. It was his third straight game with fewer than 200 yards passing after topping 250 yards in his previous three starts. Daniels did lead the team in rushing with 67 yards on 12 carries in the game.
Facts & figures
Notre Dame has won three of the last four meetings in the series, including the last two at Stanford. … The Irish are one of five FBS teams to rank in the top 14 in points scored and points allowed. … Rico Flores had eight catches for 102 yards last week to become the first Notre Dame WR to top 100 yards receiving in a game this season. … Irish S Xavier Watts leads the nation with seven INTs. … Stanford is 0-6 at home this season and is the only power conference team without a home win. The Cardinal have lost eight straight at home overall. … Stanford has been held to fewer than 20 points in three straight games. … The Cardinal have seven pass plays of at least 40 yards this season, their most in a season since they had eight in 2019. … Stanford RB E.J. Smith had a career-high eight catches last week.
