Notre Dame at Stanford
TV/radio: 7 p.m. Saturday, WLS-Ch. 7, WLS-AM 890.
Line: Stanford by 10.
Records: Notre Dame 6-5, Stanford 7-4.
Last meeting: Notre Dame won 28-21 on Oct. 4, 2008, in South Bend, Ind.
GETTING OFFENSIVE
Notre Dame won’t have leading rusher Armando Allen, but it can’t resist relying on Jimmy Clausen anyway. That might be fine against a Stanford defense that ranks 78th in pass efficiency defense and 97th allowing 244 yards in the air.
ON THE DEFENSIVE
In the last three games, five players have rushed for 100 yards against Notre Dame. It’s an astounding number, and now here comes Stanford’s Toby Gerhart, third nationally with 139.2 rushing yards per game. If the Irish can’t tackle better, they have no chance.
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THE NUMBER: 150
In three of four Stanford losses, the Cardinal have rushed for 150 or fewer yards. That’s ND’s target if it expects to stay in the game.
THE TALK
Well, there was none this week, as Irish coach Charlie Weis cut off interviews with players and assistants. Doesn’t matter much as this is expected to be Weis’ final game. He likely will be removed next week, so it’s just a question of if he goes out in flames like Tyrone Willingham and Gerry Faust.
LOOKING AHEAD
It’s pretty simple. Either Notre Dame has nothing left, or it has nothing left to lose. Regardless, one result likely won’t alter imminent changes either way.
Stanford 37, Notre Dame 28.