Notre Dame Football: The Stanford Problem

What kind of future is in store for the Notre Dame and Stanford series?

There seems to be a slight problem with Notre Dame football right now. Something is eating away at the core of what the program is and wants to be. That something, is Stanford Cardinal football. The problem, however, is more of a psychological one- and one that dwells more within the fanbase than the actual program.

Let’s take a look at what exactly it is that we are talking about.

“Well, I’m so sorry that I can’t be the right kind of monster for you, Bella.” – Jacob Black

I’m not exactly sure when part of the Notre Dame fanbase got together and decided that Stanford was actually the national champion every year for like the last 5 years, but maybe it was actually born out of a hatred for Brian Kelly. At any rate, it’s hard to scroll through message boards and not find a thread concerning Stanford and just how awesome they are and all that awesomeness.

A few key points:

• Stanford uses a fullback.
• They seem like really tough guys.
• They run the ball no matter what.
• They have won some New Years 6 bowl games.
• Notre Dame should hire David Shaw.

There’s a jealousy for a program that I can’t quite comprehend. What exactly has Stanford won? I mean, after all, this is Notre Dame and the same hardcore fanbase that swoons for the Stanford way is also the same fanbase that basically only accepts a national title as a successful season. Has Stanford won a national title? Have they gone undefeated in the regular season?

I guess I’m missing the swoon, and those fans would probably say that I’m missing the point- and I am.

“Remember: Your focus determines your reality.” – Qui-Gon Jinn

Another problem with Stanford Football is the matter of classification. How should we view Stanford as an opponent of Notre Dame? Most fans, and I would agree whole heartily with this, would say that USC is Notre Dame’s one and only rival. A point that is made quite clearly anytime Michigan or Michigan State or Boston College is brought up as a “rival” to Notre Dame.

The reality in the eyes of the country is another matter all together and it may very well be the case. This battle for the Legends Trophy has been (somewhat quietly) one of the best rivalries in college football over the past 5 years. These two teams have only played 30 times, but have played every year since 1988 with a two year hiatus in 1995 and 1996. There have been some great moments for both sides throughout this series, but the last 5 years have really seen two ranked teams battling it out to be the nation’s premier school that offers the best combination of football and academics.

Perhaps we do need to start viewing this game as a real rivalry game. No, it will never be on the same level as USC, but with the priority Notre Dame places on scheduling Stanford every year and the high level of play from the Cardinal now becoming a yearly given, perhaps we should just start calling this what it really is… a really good rivalry game (for now).

“The Romans thought of themselves as the chosen people, yet they built the greatest army on Earth by recruiting warriors from any background.” -Amy Chua

The lifeblood of any college football program is recruiting. You can’t play unless you have the players. Now, that may mean a few different things as a great recruiting class isn’t just filled with the highest ranked players available, but also with role players, and guys that can be “coached up” and developed into stars. The problem for Notre Dame over the past 20 years has been the pool in which they can recruit from given the academic standards of the school.

Don’t get it twisted though- Notre Dame can still get a vast majority of players into school, but when a school with equal or greater academics comes along with equal or greater success on the football field and has a kinder weather situation… it becomes a problem. There have been more than a couple of handful of players over the past few years that could have easily chose the Irish over Stanford if the on the field product was different. This small number of players could have made huge differences in the outcomes of Notre Dame’s seasons.

It’s the disadvantaged advantage that the Irish have enjoyed for decades that they now have to share.

“To find something, anything, a great truth or a lost pair of glasses, you must first believe there will be some advantage in finding it.” – from All the King’s Men

The great truths are that Stanford is now a real rival to Notre Dame and that presents itself as much of a problem as it does an opportunity. While winning your home game every other year against your rival can be considered the status quo and a moderate success, it’s the string of two and three victories in a row that becomes the tipping point and the possible end of the rise of the other team.

Can Notre Dame turn the tide of recent history with Stanford and in doing so, will it change the outcomes of the seasons in which they do so? The Irish are on schedule to win another close game in 2016 at Notre Dame Stadium, so perhaps the answer lays ahead in 2017 in Palo Alto. At any rate, there is a solution to every problem you just have to have the will to find it and a greater will to use it to achieve the goal.