Stanford, what to expect.

By looking at their records this season Stanford at 9-2 and Notre Dame at 8-3 this weekend’s game looks like it should be a pretty good match up.  And it should be, depending on which Irish squad shows up.  If the balanced, disciplined and tough team plays in Palo Alto Her Loyal Sons have a pretty good chance of ending the regular season on a high note.  If the team that showed up against Pitt the boys in Blue and Gold will be limping back to South Bend at 8-4.

Stanford will have allot going for them on Saturday against Notre Dame; confidence with a #8 National Ranking, home field advantage, a revenge factor from last years close (controversial) loss and a very good team made up of very good players.  The Cardinal also will be playing lose with their ticket already punched for the PAC 12 Championship Game against Arizona State so they can focus on playing the Irish and their BCS possibilities. 

For all Stanford has going for themselves they are far from perfect.  Any team in there position could look back and think what could have been without a couple of losses.  A couple weeks ago the Cardinal lost to a hot USC team 20-17.  Although that loss was tough it’s respectable.  The loss that leaves people scratching their heads is the one to Utah 27-21 on October 12.  At the time Utah was 4-2 with those two loses coming to good Oregon State and UCLA teams, since then Utah has been exposed as a terrible team losing five straight since.

Stanford Players to watch

Quarterback Kevin Hogan 6’4”, 220lbs, Junior

	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YPA	LNG	TD	INT	SACK	RAT
Season	146	241	2052	60.6	8.52	72	18	7	9	150.9
Home	82	128	1117	64.1	8.73	72	11	3	3	161.0

 

Running Back Tyler Gaffney 6’1”, 221lbs, Senior

RUSHING					RECEIVING
	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
Season	251	1296	5.2	58	16	12	84	7.0	23	1
Home	155	699	4.5	58	9	8	54	6.8	15	0

 

Wide Receiver Ty Montgomery 6’2”, 215lbs, Junior

RECEIVING					RUSHING
	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
Season	50	822	16.4	72	9	12	137	11.4	31	1
Home	23	429	18.7	72	8	6	79	13.2	31	1

Linebacker Shayne Skov 6’3”, 244lbs, Senior

84 Tackles, 48 Solo Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 3 Interceptions

Linebacker Trent Murphy 6’6”, 261lbs, Senior

49 Tackles, 28 Solo Tackles, 19 Tackles for a loss, 13 Sacks (#1 in the country), 1 interception

Offensive Lineman  David Yankey 6’6”, 311lbs, Senior

Consensus All American, Outland Trophy Semifinalist, Lombardi Trophy Semifinalist, check him out.

Keys to an Irish Victory

No turnovers.  Last year Kelly’s crew turned the ball over three times against the Cardinal.  If they do that this year they will lose, if they have two turnovers they should probably loss, if they turn the ball over once Notre Dame could lose, get the message.

Score touchdowns when they are in the red zone.  Do not settle for field goals. 

Defensively stuff Stanford’s run game, and play bend don’t break.

Control field position.  Do this with ball control and a solid running game and eliminate three and outs on offense.

Play tough and match Stanford’s physical play.

Make tackles!  A major problem for the Irish in all three losses this season.