Since November 25th of last year, Notre Dame football has had this game on their mind. There has been an empty spot in the “Gug” for the past three years. The “Legends Trophy” is currently missing and the Cardinal has it. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are on a mission to bring it home to fill that void. Last November, the Irish were up 20-17 at the end of the third quarter. Over a period of less than four minutes in the fourth quarter, Stanford scored 21 points. Another opportunity missed to bring the “rivalry trophy” home.
A team dedication to Discipline and Focus will be essential to an Irish victory. The offense and the defense must play smart football. Drive stopping plays, coupled with penalties on the defensive stop will definitely hurt the Irish this week. Cardinal cannot be given second chances to extend drives and given the opportunity to score on those defensive miscues.
Green Out
After the success of the “Green Out” against Michigan. The campaign is underway again to turn the stadium green. The “12th Man” plays such an important role in a game of this caliber. The home team feeds off the energy of those in attendance, and it delivers the want to go out and leave it all on the field. It also helps when the “12th Man” is so loud that the opposing team cannot get their play calling completed. Don’t forget to be heard when Stanford has the ball.
Staff Picks
Once again let’s go back to the prognostication picks and see what George and Jimmy went with prior to the season starting.
Stanford at ND 9/29/18
Jimmy-“Coming off a 9-5 season, a down year for Stanford. Stanford is returning 15 starters including RB Bryce Love. Love may be a Heisman contender. Can ND stop the run? This game has the possibility of a nail biter. The Irish are at home.” ND wins 32-29.
George-“ND and Stanford is always a classic. Two great educational institutions and football teams that are definite rivals. These two teams also play for a “rivalry trophy”. The “Legends Trophy” will be back in Notre Dame Stadium. It will be time to right the wrong for last seasons loss to Stanford. The loss to Stanford also kept ND out of the playoffs.” ND wins 28-24.
Flyover!
On Saturday Night, the United States Navy F/A 18F Super Hornet aircraft will do a flyover Notre Dame Stadium before the start of the game. The squadron is out of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia VFA-213. Now if that doesn’t electrify the home crowd, I don’t know what will.
GameDay Weather
The Weather Channel is calling for an abundance of sun! With a High of 62 degrees. Saturday night partly cloudy skies followed by increasing clouds with showers later at night. Temperatures will dip to 47 degrees. Bring that coat as it will be chilly.
TV Coverage
The game will be broadcast on NBC with a 7:30 EST kick-off.
Don’t forget to be loud and give your Fighting Irish the extra energy they will need to #ChopDownTheTree and bring back the Legends Trophy. Cheers and Go Irish! 🏈☘