Notre Dame Defense vs Stanford Offense Should Be A Mismatch

Year two of the Al Golden era has been fun to watch, with the Notre Dame defense becoming one of the best units in college football. Much of Notre Dame's success this year has been fueled by a defense that ranks among the nation's best in most categories.

The defense gets one more shot this regular season to show it is in fact one of the best, if not best defense's in the game this season. This is a matchup that heavily favors the defense, with Stanford bringing in an offense that is scrappy, but also one that struggles to move the ball and score. This has been especially true against the better defenses they have faced this season.

If Notre Dame can continue its defensive dominance it will go a very long way towards the Irish winning back the Legend's Trophy and re-establishing dominance in this rivalry.

It doesn't take long to look at the numbers and realize how much of a mismatch this is.

Notre Dame's rush defense has been the weak spot this season, if you can call it that. For all of the struggles in this phase of the game, the defense still ranks in the Top 40 in rushing defense, rushing yards allowed and touchdowns. It hasn't given up a lot of big plays, but that is countered by the fact the defense hasn't generated many negatives in the run game.

Stanford's offensive line is young and undersized, and it's the kind of game the defensive line should thrive. That will be a major key to the Irish defense playing to its potential in this game. Defensive tackles Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III have been the strength of the defensive line, and they'll need to feast in this game.

If the interior defenders dominate it should give the Irish linebackers the opportunity to make a lot of plays.

Stanford has had some moments in the run game this season, including 209 yards against USC and 180 yards in a loss to Sacramento State.

In the eight games since that back-to-back stretch in early September, Stanford has averaged just 91.4 rushing yards per game and 2.8 yards per carry. Quarterback Ashton Daniels is the team's leading rusher at just 288 yards.

While the run game has been a struggle all season, the pass game has shown more flashes. There are some ugly numbers in the graph below, but when you look at the film it shows Stanford is a group with some pass game potential.

Daniels has two games with over 360 yards, torching Colorado for 396 yards and four touchdowns, and going for 367 yards in a 42-33 loss to No. 4 Washington.

Sophomore wide receiver Elic Ayomanor has been a breakout player for the Cardinal, racking up 55 catches for 955 yards and six scores this season. His 955 yards and 17.4 yards per catch ranks fifth in the Pac 12 this season. The matchup of Ayomanor and Notre Dame corners Benjamin Morrison and Cam Hart should be quite entertaining.

The loss of Benjamin Yurosek hurt the offense, but sophomore Sam Roush has been another young player that has shown promise in the pass game.

A big issue for Stanford has been its offensive line, which has struggled to protect Daniels all season. Stanford ranks 119th in sacks allowed. Notre Dame's pass rush has been inconsistent, but facing this line could be a recipe for success for the Irish.

Notre Dame ranks in the Top 10 in all but one of the listed categories, including scoring defense, total defense, red zone defense and turnovers. Stanford ranks 91st or lower in over half of these categories.

Games are played on the field, but heading in the on paper matchup isn't even close. This is a game Notre Dame should dominate, and the Irish have completely shut down offenses like Stanford's all season.

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