No. 19 Notre Dame looks to finish the regular season with a win at Stanford
Wake Forest defensive back Evan Slocum (14) trips up Notre Dame running back Audric Estime (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. Credit: AP/Michael Conroy
No. 19 Notre Dame (8-3, No. 18 CFP) at Stanford (3-8), Saturday, 7 p.m. EST (Pac-12 Network)
Line: Notre Dame by 25 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Notre Dame leads 22-14.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Notre Dame tries to avenge last home season’s loss to Stanford and regain the Legends Trophy. The Fighting Irish aren’t in contention for the College Football Playoff but would like to end the regular season with a win. Stanford is still seeking its first victory at home under first-year coach Troy Taylor.
KEY MATCHUP
Notre Dame RB Audric Estime vs. Stanford run defense. Estime ran for 115 yards last week against Wake Forest to become the 13th Irish player to rush for at least 1,000 yards in a season and the 19th to reach 2,000 yards rushing in a career. The Cardinal have allowed 438 yards rushing the past two weeks after giving up only 95 in the two previous games.
Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) tries to jump over California defensive back Lu-Magia Hearns III (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. Credit: AP/Stephen Lam
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Notre Dame: QB Sam Hartman threw four TD passes last week to move into fourth place all-time among FBS quarterbacks with 132. He needs three TD passes this week to move past Graham Harrell into third. Hartman had no TD passes and four INTs in the two previous games.
Stanford: QB Ashton Daniels threw for 188 yards and a TD last week in a loss to California. It was his third straight game with fewer than 200 yards passing after topping 250 yards in his previous three starts. Daniels did lead the team in rushing with 67 yards on 12 carries in the game.
FACTS & FIGURES
Notre Dame has won three of the last four meetings in the series, including the last two at Stanford. ... The Irish are one of five FBS teams to rank in the top 14 in points scored and points allowed. ... Rico Flores had eight catches for 102 yards last week to become the first Notre Dame WR to top 100 yards receiving in a game this season. ... Irish S Xavier Watts leads the nation with seven INTs. ... Stanford is 0-6 at home this season and is the only power conference team without a home win. The Cardinal have lost eight straight at home overall. ... Stanford has been held to fewer than 20 points in three straight games. ... The Cardinal have seven pass plays of at least 40 yards this season, their most in a season since they had eight in 2019. ... Stanford RB E.J. Smith had a career-high eight catches last week.
___ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here
