Fighting Irish preview 101: Stanford

(Photo: Icon/Sportswire)

Stanford used to make Notre Dame earn every yard. Big offensive lines, physical running backs and a defense that could turn an afternoon into a wrestling match. This Stanford team? There isn’t much resemblance.

The Cardinal comes to South Bend at 2–3 after a 57–3 beating at Wake Forest. Stanford has lost 13 straight road games, and now it gets another long trip from California to face undefeated Notre Dame. That is a tough way to try to get well.

Quick Facts: Stanford at a Glance

Head Coach: Familiar Faces, Plenty to Fix

First-year coach Tavita Pritchard is a former Stanford quarterback and longtime Cardinal assistant who returned after three seasons coaching quarterbacks for the Washington Commanders. He helped develop Jayden Daniels during his outstanding rookie season. Andrew Luck is the program’s general manager, and last season’s interim coach, Frank Reich, stayed on as a senior advisor.

That is a pretty good collection of football minds. They also inherited a considerable project. David Shaw stepped down after the 2022 season with a school-record 96 victories, but the program has struggled to regain its footing. Last year’s 4–8 finish offered some improvement. Saturday at Wake Forest showed how far Stanford still has to go.

Offensive Coordinator: First, Move Somebody

Terry Heffernan returned after three seasons coaching Virginia’s offensive line. He previously coached Stanford’s line in 2021–22 and has NFL experience with Buffalo and Detroit. His background fits the assignment: get Stanford blocking and running again.

The Cardinal averages only 88.8 rushing yards per game, ranking 135th nationally. It converts 34.2 percent of its third downs, ranking 108th, and 30.8 percent on fourth down, ranking 125th. Add 7.4 penalties per game, and an offense already struggling to move the chains keeps making its own job harder.

Quarterback: Warren Can Make Plays

Michigan transfer Davis Warren made nine starts for the Wolverines in 2024. Against Georgia Tech, he threw for a career-high 396 yards and three touchdowns in a 34–27 comeback victory, completing all three of his fourth-down throws. Given time, he can do some damage.

He has also protected the ball, matching Davis Mills’ school record of 167 pass attempts to begin a season without an interception before throwing his first at Wake Forest. But the rest of that afternoon was rough, too: 136 passing yards, three sacks and no completion longer than 15 yards. Notre Dame should make finding time to throw just as difficult Saturday.

Running Backs: Where Is the Daylight?

Micah Ford carried 16 times for 45 yards at Wake Forest. Stanford finished with 49 rushing yards on 34 attempts, including the losses from four sacks. That is 1.4 yards per carry.

For a program once known for moving people off the ball, those numbers tell quite a story. Notre Dame should expect to take away the run and make Warren try to beat it through the air.

Defense: Near the Bottom, Almost Everywhere

Pick a major defensive category, and Stanford is probably near the bottom. The Cardinal ranks 134th in total defense, allowing 458.8 yards per game; 137th in passing yards allowed at 299.8; and 134th in scoring defense at 38.2 points.

Opponents convert 50.8 percent of their third downs, putting Stanford 133rd nationally. Once they reach the red zone, they score 95.7 percent of the time, tied for 131st. Getting to third down doesn’t help much. Neither does making an opponent drive the length of the field.

Wake Forest supplied the latest evidence: 519 yards, 10 conversions on 13 third downs and touchdowns on all eight red-zone trips. Stanford couldn’t get the Demon Deacons off the field or keep them out of the end zone.

CJ Carr and Notre Dame’s receivers should find opportunities. So should the running backs. Stanford allows 159 rushing yards per game, ranking 96th—a better number than its pass defense, but hardly a strength. After taking control on the ground at North Carolina, the Irish have a chance to keep that going.

Player to Know: Caden High

High caught four passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns against Georgia Tech, becoming Stanford’s first 100-yard receiver this season. He and Warren have shown they can connect for big plays when the protection holds.

Linebacker Matt Rose deserves attention, too. He earned ACC Linebacker of the Week honors after the Georgia Tech victory. Stanford has players who can contribute. Getting enough of them playing well at the same time has been the problem. Rose did not play due an undisclosed injury at Wake Forest, his status is uncertain.

Numbers to Remember: 13 AND 8500

Stanford has lost a school-record 13 consecutive road games. Its last road victory came at Syracuse on September 20, 2024. Now, after traveling to North Carolina last week, the Cardinal makes another long trip with a 54-point loss to think about along the way. That is roughly 8,500 travel miles of travel over two straight road weekend.

Last Time They Met

Notre Dame won 49–20 at Stanford to close the 2025 regular season and has won the last three meetings. The Cardinal’s last victory came in 2022, a 16–14 upset in South Bend during Marcus Freeman’s first season.

This Irish team is considerably better. Still, nobody who sat through that game needs a reminder about what can happen when Notre Dame lets an inferior opponent hang around.

The FIP Bottom Line

Here is the telling part: Stanford’s turnover margin is plus-0.8 per game, tied for 27th nationally. The Cardinal has not lost the turnover battle in any of its five games—and its three defeats have come by a combined 121 points. Stanford is protecting the football. It’s getting beaten anyway.

Notre Dame should control both lines of scrimmage. Keep the running game moving, pressure Warren and clean up the coverage and special teams issues from Chapel Hill. A comfortable victory is the expectation. A sharp performance is the standard.

The Line

Notre Dame favored by 37½ points; over/under 54½, as of Monday.

☘️ FIP Prediction

Notre Dame should take control early. Stanford has struggled to run the ball, defend the pass and get off the field on third down. That gives the Irish plenty of ways to build a big first-half lead. Expect a quieter second half, with more running, more backups and the outcome settled well before the final whistle.

The FIP Prediction: Notre Dame 48, Stanford 10.