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Notre Dame Eyes Playoff Lock with Visit to Stanford


With the college football regular season hitting its crescendo, the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (9-2) travel to Stanford Stadium for a late-night clash against the 3-7 Stanford Cardinals on Saturday, November 29. Set for a 10:30 p.m. ET start on ESPN, this primetime tilt carries massive implications: a win clinches Notre Dame's College Football Playoff berth and potentially a top seed, while Stanford, under first-year coach Frank Reich, seeks a morale-boosting finish to a transitional year in the ACC. The 38th meeting in this storied series—tied to the 1925 Rose Bowl's "Game of the Century"—could see the Irish extend their dominance, but the Cardinal's home grit adds intrigue to the Palo Alto nightcap.



What’s at Stake?


Notre Dame's path to the postseason is firmly in its grasp after navigating a brutal slate with losses only to Miami and Texas A&M. A victory here would secure a third consecutive 10-win season, bolstering Marcus Freeman's résumé amid whispers of national title contention. The Irish's balanced attack and stout defense have them ranked among the nation's elite, but they'll need to stay sharp against a desperate foe.


For Stanford, bowl eligibility hangs by a thread with two games remaining, including a rivalry tilt at Cal this week. Reich, the ex-NFL standout stepping in after Troy Taylor's March dismissal, has brought structure but faces a steep climb in Year 1. The Cardinals' three home wins showcase resilience, yet road struggles and line inconsistencies have capped their ceiling. An upset wouldn't just salvage the season—it could ignite recruiting fire for the ACC rebuild.



Key Matchups


Irish Rush Attack vs. Cardinal Front

Notre Dame's ground game, powered by Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, remains a nightmare for defenses. Heisman hopeful Jeremiyah Love leads the way by creating defensive nightmares for the Cardinals. Stanford's unit has stiffened to 123 rushing yards allowed per game—their finest mark since 2013—but falters against elusive backs. Clock control could yield another 200-yard-plus outing for the Irish.


Quarterback Duel: CJ Carr's Poise vs. Elijah Brown's Spark


Sophomore CJ Carr, Notre Dame's first-year starter after edging out Kenny Minchey in August, has steadied the ship with sharp decision-making and arm talent, stepping into Riley Leonard's shoes post-NFL Draft. Though not a burner, Carr's accuracy (over 65% completion) and pocket presence have unlocked 2,200 passing yards and 16 scores, exploiting secondaries like Stanford's, which ranks low in pass efficiency defense.


Stanford counters with redshirt freshman Elijah Brown, who seized the starting role from shaky veteran Ben Gulbranson after a midseason benching. Brown's home magic—averaging 25 points per game at Stanford Stadium—has teased potential, but nine sacks in the North Carolina loss highlight o-line vulnerabilities.



Legends Trophy History


The Legends Trophy, minted in 2018 to commemorate Knute Rockne's Four Horsemen topping Pop Warner's Stanford 27-10 in the 1925 Rose Bowl, underscores this 100th-anniversary nod to their first clash. Notre Dame holds a 23-14 all-time edge, including a 49-7 demolition in 2024. The Cardinal's last triumph? A 16-14 nail-biter in 2022. Yet the Irish have owned recent visits, winning the past three at Stanford by 20 points apiece and outscoring them 200-77 over the last six meetings. Tradition runs deep, but Freeman's crew eyes execution over nostalgia.



Prediction: Irish Firmly Establish Why They Should Be Playoff Favorites


Expect Stanford's home energy and Brown's arm to keep the first half competitive, perhaps trailing by a field goal at the break. But Notre Dame's superior depth and playoff motivation pulled away late. Playoff glory awaits Notre Dame; Stanford exits with building blocks and a nod to brighter days. West Coast football under the lights—rivalry drama never disappoints.


Go Irish!



 
 
 

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