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Notre Dame football vs Stanford: 2022 Week 7 preview and prediction

By Brad Weiss

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish congratulates tight end Michael Mayer #87 as he runs off the field after catching a touchdown pass against the Brigham Young Cougars in the Shamrock Series game at Allegiant Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Fighting Irish defeated the Cougars 28-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 08: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish congratulates tight end Michael Mayer #87 as he runs off the field after catching a touchdown pass against the Brigham Young Cougars in the Shamrock Series game at Allegiant Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Fighting Irish defeated the Cougars 28-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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On Saturday night, the Notre Dame football team will take on the Stanford Cardinal, and here is our game preview and prediction of the matchup.

With three straight wins under their belt, the Notre Dame football team heads home to take on the Stanford Cardinal in a rivalry game on Saturday night. For the Irish, this game is another opportunity to keep moving forward under first-year head coach Marcus Freeman, who has shaken off an 0-3 start to his career at the helm of the program.

Really since halftime of the Cal game, the Irish have been unstoppable, as they are getting great play from quarterback Drew Pyne. The junior stepped in for the injured Tyler Buchner after the Marshall game, and after a tough start, he has settled into being one of the more consistent signal-callers in the country.

His next battle, the Stanford Cardinal.

Notre Dame football vs Stanford: Preview

This game has a chance to be very lopsided in favor of the Irish, as they go into this game playing at a very high level. Stanford has had some major issues this season, and is currently 1-4, losing a heartbreaker to Oregon State their last time out.

Tanner McKee is a potential first-round draft pick in 2023, but he does not have the kind of weapons that will allow Stanford to hang with the Irish in this one. The Cardinal are also banged up on defense, with star cornerback Kyu Blue Kelly expected to miss this one with an injury.

If the Irish can establish the run the way they have the last two weeks, this one could be over by halftime.

Notre Dame football vs Stanford: Prediction

I like Notre Dame football to stick to the recipe that has led them to three straight victories, and that is getting pressure on defense, and running the football on offense. They have dominated the line of scrimmage in the wins against UNC and BYU, and against Stanford, that same game plan has to be key.

As of now, the Irish are playing their best football of the season, and if the trio of running backs gets going on Saturday night, it could be a long night for this Cardinal defense.

I like the Irish to come out and punch the Cardinal in the mouth, establishing the line of scrimmage early on in this one. They are a team on a mission right now and catching Stanford at the right time, so expect the first blowout victory of Marcus Freeman’s career Saturday night.

Final Score: Notre Dame 40, Stanford 21

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