[rmjvol]

The easier part of the Fighting Irish schedule starts with the Notre Dame vs Stanford game this weekend. The Irish should be able to cruise to a 10-1 record when they meet up with USC to close the season.

But 1st things 1st: Stanford.

Stanford's not a very good team this year. There's a reason why ND is a 32 point favorite in this game. With the much improved running game we saw against Purdue, Notre Dame should have big numbers and an easy win.

What do you think will happen in the Notre Dame vs Stanford game? What would it take for the Irish to lose this one?

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[hsghgb]

Going with Irish 35, Stanford 17. Hoping they win big, but thinking they might not win as big as everyone thinks. Staying conservative this time around.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by hsghgb

Going with Irish 35, Stanford 17. Hoping they win big, but thinking they might not win as big as everyone thinks. Staying conservative this time around.

Conservative?...heck I will throw caution to the win...say the the Irish will run up the score because they are felling pressure to redeem themselves in the eyes of the media...I will say in a wild shootout Irish 59 Stanford 24.

[EmpireWF]

LOL, I think both of you are being way too conservative here. I'm saying Notre Dame will win BIG TIME...by a score of 49-7. Stanford isn't one of the worst teams in the country for nothing.

[Lefty Noob]

Come on, Empire - sure it'll be a big win. But no way that subpar Irish defense holds ANYONE to just 7 points!

[chsbletz]

The Irish are interested in rehabilitating Brady Quinn's Heisman Trophy chances. Look for them to run the score up against the weaker teams they will be playing---like Stanford.

[Lefty Noob]

Care to take a stab at the final score, chsbletz? Don't forget our big $300 Ticket Contest! And just for fun, what kind of day do you think Quinn will have. I'd say around 320 yards and four touchdowns.

[chsbletz]

Lefty, whatever they are, Quinn's numbers are very likely to be bloated, to put it mildly. Barring an injury to Brady, Stanford won't be able to contain him.

[Notre Dame News]

Could this be considered a trap game for Notre Dame? Remember last year...

MercuryNews.com | 10/07/2006 | Notre Dame game offers Stanford an opportunity
By Darren Sabedra
Mercury News

Still, Weis has reminded his players that Stanford almost prevented the Irish from reaching a Bowl Championship Series game last season. Trailing by a point in the season finale, Notre Dame scored a touchdown with 55 seconds left to win 38-31 at Stanford Stadium.

``What did everyone tell them last year when they were rolling into Stanford?'' Weis said, referring to his players. ``They're done. They've thrown in the towel. You're going to whip on them, go to a BCS game, no problem. Go out there and have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.''

And then . . .

``You're fighting for your lives in the last minute of the game,'' Weis added.

If Notre Dame is fighting for its life in the second half today, let alone the last minute, that would be a stop-the-presses moment because this might be Stanford's worst team of the modern era. On the flip side, last season against Notre Dame, the Cardinal was still fighting for bowl eligibility and emotionally charged because it was the final game in its old stadium.

The Irish are HUGE favorites in this one, and Stanford is terrible. Avoiding a massive letdown, Notre Dame should win and win big. But is anyone concerned that they're looking past the Cardinal?

[rmjvol]

The Irish win this one over Stanford 31-10.

Darius Walker had a good game, rushing for 154 yards. Brady Quinn looked good but not great as he passed for three touchdowns in the win.

[chsbletz]

To be honest, Quinn is probably not good enough to win a Heisman Trophy. He's a very good, but not an excellent, quarterback.

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Come on, Empire - sure it'll be a big win. But no way that subpar Irish defense holds ANYONE to just 7 points!

I guess you were right...by 3 points!