Stanford Week
Well Notre Dame must have arrived since ESPN Game Day will be on hand to cheer Stanford on.
So lets take a look at Stanford minus Andrew Luck–not the same team and very beatable. Now in 2nd year without Jim Harbaugh and their vigor without him has dropped a notch–again ND can beat this team if they can get to the QB junior Josh Nunes.
Let’s look at what Stanford has done this year–they are 4-1 and ranked #18:
- San Jose State W 20-17
- Duke W 50-13
- USC W 21-14
- Washington L 17-13
- Arizona W 54-48 OT
After the Washington game their QB Josh Nunes caught a lot of flack and at least the sportswriters were calling for a replacement. The Arizona game put that to rest. Arizona had the game won and Nunes led Stanford back with an OT win. This was a turning point for Nunes who had been wobbly in his other starts. Great confidence booster for him–just what ND needed, would have preferred the wobbly Nunes.
Stanford, as mentioned is not the old Jim Harbaugh gritty Stanford, they don’t have a Toby Gerhart at running back and Nunes certainly isn’t Andrew Luck. Watching their game with Arizona I was impressed how the undersized Arizona defense played them. For all intents they shut down their featured RB Stepfan Taylor and held him to 132 yds. What killed them was Nunes ability to run when flushed out of the pocket.
Stanford relies heavily on their 2 very large TE’s Zack Ertz 6’6″ 253 and Levine Toilolo 6’8″ 268–he really looks like a basketball player playing football. Notre Dame will have a difficult time covering them so the best strategy is to put a fierce rush on Nunes–get to him early and often and he will turn the ball over with interceptions. If he has the time-watch out.
This did not appear to me to be the old Stanford OL & DL and I think we can overpower them in the trenches. We should be able to run the ball after we get them out of the box so Golson must come through in the passing game.
One thing I noticed about Golson is the way he holds the ball when running–one handed, wrong side to the defense. He is just waiting to get stripped but I’m sure the ND coaches will drill him on that.
Finally a day game, less time for Golson to get the jitters so he could come out on fire. ND is much better than Arizona and this game could be a real signature win for Golson.
Final comments, Carlo Calabrese doesn’t get much press-sorta under the radar but he is playing very well and this could be a big game for him. Also Mike Golic seems to be improving with each game–keep it up Mike.
4 thoughts on “Stanford Week”
As you may recall, my fiancé went to Stanford. For the last three years, I’ve had to endure her gloating after the Cardinal totally dominating ND. I would really like to be on the other side of that this weekend. The O-line needs to have a solid game and Golson needs to make some plays with his arm. I think we’re going to struggle running it (except sweeps to GAIII) so it’s on Golson and the O-line to do their magic.
Shane, me boy where the hell have you been? So after about a year you have the same fianc’e and her gloating is over. This is not a Harbaugh team, they don’t have the OL of Michigan and they don’t have the DL of Purdue. They won’t know what the hell hit them when they line up. I’m predicting ND rolls right over them.
Keep in touch, you’re comments are cogent. This year you can crow, this will be a systemic destruction of the Stanford DL. ND scores 40 and wins. Now, on a personal level if she has a good job, you have to close the deal. I don’t want to hear the same fiance crap next year. Also very important what’s her old man do? If he’s rich–you really have to close this out fast. Good Luck and I’ll pray for your success.
Amen, brother. On all points! We’re making it official next June. She’s a smart, beautiful gal and most importantly she puts up with me. So here’s to 50 yrs of marital bliss and never having to see her gloat over a ND – Stanford game again! Ha.
PS – do you think we can get Cam to gain 30+ lbs so he gain be that short-yardage power back we each want ND to have so badly?
PPS – I’m LOVING Harbaugh finally being on my side w/ the Niners. Even better not to have ND play against him. He’d school Kelly every time.
Excellent, now try to stay out of jail to then and good luck.
Yea if Cam can put the weight on he would see more playing time. He’s currently listed as 5’10 195 but he looks smaller–good runner though.
Bet Michigan still kicking themselves picking Rich Rod over Harbaugh. He’s a driven guy–he’ll get the Super Bowl ring soon.