si
The Notre Dame football team is set to conclude what has felt like an extended preseason this Saturday when Stanford visits Notre Dame Stadium. The Cardinal, arguably the weakest Power Four team this season, are coming off a 57-3 drubbing at the hands of Wake Forest.
Following this game, the season will truly begin for the Fighting Irish, as they travel to face an undefeated BYU squad the next week. Notre Dame has quietly amassed a 15-game winning streak, all by double-digit margins, including a 37-26 victory over North Carolina last Saturday.
It seems highly likely that streak will extend to 16 against Stanford.
Working Out the Kinks
In the win over North Carolina, Notre Dame found itself in a competitive game but never appeared in danger of losing. The contest may have served as a testing ground for different defensive schemes, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate which alignments work and which leave certain players vulnerable. After reviewing the film without emotion, it appears the game plan was designed to experiment.
Head coach Marcus Freeman often speaks about leaving no doubt and treating each game individually, but he understands that the upcoming matchups against BYU and Miami will define the season, not the margin of victory over North Carolina or Stanford.
Quick Work of Stanford?
Fast starts have been inconsistent for Notre Dame this year. Against Wisconsin, the game was a slugfest for two quarters before the defense took over after halftime. Rice was a blowout from the second play, while Michigan State kept things interesting despite a lopsided score. Purdue was Purdue, and North Carolina jumped out to an early lead.
Stanford, quite simply, is not a good team. There is no polite way to phrase it.
As Notre Dame wraps up what has felt like a month-and-a-half-long preseason, it can treat this Saturday like NFL teams used to treat the fourth preseason game: play starters briefly, give reps to backups, and prepare for a much tougher challenge at BYU next week.
Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.