The No. 11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish are set to return to action this weekend, fresh off their bye week and firmly in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot. As they prepare to host the Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Stadium, the Irish are well-positioned to make a push for one of the coveted top four spots. Currently sitting at 6-1, Notre Dame has impressed throughout the season with a balanced attack, strong defense, and efficient quarterback play from Sam Hartman. However, they know every game from here on out will be critical to securing a playoff berth.
Head coach Marcus Freeman emphasized the importance of maintaining focus as the team heads into the back half of the season. “We’re in a good position, but we can’t afford to get complacent,” Freeman said during the team’s weekly press conference. “Stanford is always a tough opponent, and we have to be at our best every week from here on out if we want to achieve our goals.”
Notre Dame’s defense, which ranks among the nation’s best, will play a pivotal role in stopping a Stanford offense that has struggled at times this season. The Irish are giving up just 17 points per game and have been particularly stingy against the pass, thanks to a formidable secondary led by Benjamin Morrison and Cam Hart. Defensive coordinator Al Golden will look to dial up the pressure on Stanford’s young quarterback Ashton Daniels, who has had an up-and-down season thus far.
On offense, the Irish are led by Sam Hartman, whose veteran presence and steady hand have been key to their success. Hartman has thrown for over 1,800 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, efficiently managing the game and avoiding costly turnovers. The combination of Hartman’s arm and a powerful running game, led by Audric Estimé, makes Notre Dame’s offense a difficult one to stop.
The Stanford Cardinal, meanwhile, come into this matchup as underdogs, sitting at 2-4 on the season. Despite their record, Stanford has shown flashes of potential, particularly with their young talent on both sides of the ball. Head coach Troy Taylor will be looking for his team to pull off an upset and spoil Notre Dame’s playoff hopes.
As the Fighting Irish return to South Bend after their bye week, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With playoff aspirations on the line, Notre Dame knows they cannot afford any missteps, especially with challenging matchups against Clemson and USC looming on the horizon. For now, the focus is on Stanford, as Notre Dame looks to continue their march toward the College Football Playoff.