The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Stanford Cardinal meet Saturday in college football action from Stanford Stadium. Notre Dame enters this matchup following a game versus Wake Forest. The 8-3 Irish went on to win in blowout fashion. As for 3-8 Stanford, they’re fresh off a matchup with California. In that one the Cardinal fell by 12 points. Check out our Notre Dame vs Stanford Prediction.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 

The Irish managed to win seven of their first 10 outings this year, thanks in large part to a solid offensive effort. Notre Dame averaged 36.8 points per game in that time with 47 total touchdowns. The Irish scored 21 of those through the air, along with seven picks and 252.0 yards per game. Rush-wise, Notre Dame managed 166.0 yards per game and 20 TDs. 

Back on Saturday versus Wake Forest, the Irish got off to a fast start, scoring double-digit points in each of the final three quarters during a 45-7 blowout win. QB Sam Hartman finished with 277 yards and four scores, while Audric Estime had 115 yards and a TD rushing. Rico Flores added 102 yards off eight catches. 

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Team Facts

• Notre Dame has won 53 of its last 56 games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• The home team has covered the spread in each of Notre Dame’s last five games.
• Notre Dame has lost the first half in eight of its last 10 road games against opponents from the Pac-12 Conference.
• Each of Notre Dame’s last seven games in November have gone OVER the total points line.

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Stanford Cardinal 

Over on the Stanford side, they were only able to win three of their first 10 matchups this year. The Cardinal posted a 20.9 points per game average in that run, with 239.2 yards per game, 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions through the air. Stanford wasn’t much better on the rush with 118.1 yards per game, 3.3 yards per carry and 13 TDs in that time. 

Matched up against California in their last game, Stanford gave up points in all four quarters on the way to a listless 27-15 loss. The Cardinal’s Ashton Daniels threw for 188 yards and a TD, also leading the rush on 67 yards from 12 carries. Sam Roush topped the receivers with 62 yards on four catches. 

Stanford Cardinal Team Facts

• Stanford has lost each of its last 12 games against AP-ranked teams.
• Stanford has failed to cover the spread in each of its last nine home games in November.
• Stanford has won the first quarter in four of its last five games against non-conference opponents.
• Stanford has lost the first half in four of its last five games against opponents from the FBS Independents.
• Nine of Stanford’s last 10 home games in November have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Stanford are the only FBS team winless in home games this season ([0-z]).
• Stanford has suffered the equal-most road losses by a margin of 35+ points of any FBS team this season (2).
• Notre Dame rank 7th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (16.0).
• Notre Dame rank 14th among FBS teams for points per game this season (37.5).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m staying with Notre Dame, even with the hefty line. The Irish are coming off a nice bounce-back effort in their win over Wake Forest. In that game, Notre Dame compiled 450 yards (313 passing), 25 first downs and 5-of-10 on third-down tries. Defensively the team gave up just 232 yards (98 passing) and 14 first downs. The Irish looked like a different team as opposed to the Clemson game (a 31-23 loss), and they’ve now hit 45 or more points in each of the last three wins. 

As for Stanford, they had just 289 total yards (188 passing) and 12 first downs in the loss to Cal over the weekend. The Cardinal have been at 17 or fewer points for three straight games, and it’s not going to be any easier scoring here.