[NDIrish]

It's hard for me to stomach watching ND play.  They are Stanford's #1 recruiting rival; any player who can get into Stanford can  go to ND, but not every player who goes to ND can get into Stanford.  Not to mention the fact Stanford should have beat ND the last two games in South Bend.  Those losses were brutal.

That said, I thought ND was the #1 team until the Clemson loss.  But it's really hard to judge how good Clemson is considering they have played what, 7 teams who have won less than 4 games and are FCS?  It's kind of a joke that they are ranked #1 given they have really only had two games against teams with a pulse and so many cupcakes. Conversely, Stanford has played 7 teams with 6+ wins. No wonder Stanford has 2 losses and Clemson none...

Still, Stanford by all rights should be 10-1 and this should be #3 vs. #5 this weekend.  But two fumbled snaps in the 4th quarter against a very good Oregon team were too much to overcome.  Stanford too missed a 2pt conversion that would have sent a big game to OT like ND did at Clemson. 

As for the match-up, Stanford will probably be the most physical team ND plays this year, though BC is probably a close second and a pretty good tune-up.  Against Ca.l, Stanford was good enough to win with a vanilla game plan and no risk taking.  That won't be the case this weekend.  To me, Hogan determines the outcome.  If he plays well, Stanford wins.  If not, they lose.  Stanford's defense will give up some yards but not that many points.  Stanford's best CB, Senior Ronnie Harris was out against Ca.l and hopes to return this week.  One would think he is needed in this game because he's probably the only Stanford CB who can effectively cover Fuller consistently.  Stanford has more offensive weapons this year than any time in recent memory, but CMac is clearly the focus of the offense. 

This game should be for a playoff berth, IMO.  If ND wins, they should be in.  If Stanford wins, and next week, they should be in. Would you agree?

I think ND is better than Clemson, but the "moment" of the game got to them in the first 5 minutes.  Clemson was up 14-0 right away, after they calmed down, it was a very close game.  ND had trouble with holding on to the ball in the rain, Clemson didn't and that was difference.  I mean with a 14-0 lead right away and 4 second half ND turnovers, ND was a 2pt conversion away from sending it to overtime.

Is that 7 teams with 6+ wins include Notre Dame, or is that up to this game?  stanford will be ND's 6th team with 6+ and they very well could be there 5 with 9+ if pitt can beat Miami.  that to me shows both teams have had to play tough week in and week out and you are going to get a loss along the way doing that, its hard to take that kind of beating every week. So props to you guys for your schedule as well.  IMO you guys get a ton of props for playing ND and Northwestern out of conference while playing inside a power 5 conference.

I was really disappointed by that Oregon loss, besides it hurting ND's SOS, i was really looking forward to a top 5 match up to end the year, just as a fan.  I think as a complete team it is easily the most physical team for ND.  Clemson had a pretty physical D and BC hit harder than anyone i have seen, every tackle had a good solid "pop" to it. But i don't think they have played as physical of an offense this year. 

i agree Hogan will determine this game,  What does your gut say about him in this game?  I dont want to claim to know to much, ive probably seen him in 6 games the last 2 years, but sometimes it seems like the moment gets to him...

I full expect McCaffrey is going to break at least one big play for a TD, its just a given with ND, lol, but im hoping we can limit that to just 1, but it is doubtful.

I am hoping that if ND wins they can hold of (or jump depending on how tonight goes) Oklahoma , but i unfortunately think that stanford is going to be left out regardless, even though i would like u guys to beat Iowa, Oklahoma and give you a 50/50 on clemson/msu depending on injury situation.

Side question, do you honestly feel that Shaw is a set in stone coach for now and the future of stanford, or do you think a change will be necessary to win it all?  i have always had mix emotions on him.

[NDIrish]

It's hard for me to stomach watching ND play.  They are Stanford's #1 recruiting rival; any player who can get into Stanford can  go to ND, but not every player who goes to ND can get into Stanford.  Not to mention the fact Stanford should have beat ND the last two games in South Bend.  Those losses were brutal.

That said, I thought ND was the #1 team until the Clemson loss.  But it's really hard to judge how good Clemson is considering they have played what, 7 teams who have won less than 4 games and are FCS?  It's kind of a joke that they are ranked #1 given they have really only had two games against teams with a pulse and so many cupcakes. Conversely, Stanford has played 7 teams with 6+ wins. No wonder Stanford has 2 losses and Clemson none...

Still, Stanford by all rights should be 10-1 and this should be #3 vs. #5 this weekend.  But two fumbled snaps in the 4th quarter against a very good Oregon team were too much to overcome.  Stanford too missed a 2pt conversion that would have sent a big game to OT like ND did at Clemson. 

As for the match-up, Stanford will probably be the most physical team ND plays this year, though BC is probably a close second and a pretty good tune-up.  Against Ca.l, Stanford was good enough to win with a vanilla game plan and no risk taking.  That won't be the case this weekend.  To me, Hogan determines the outcome.  If he plays well, Stanford wins.  If not, they lose.  Stanford's defense will give up some yards but not that many points.  Stanford's best CB, Senior Ronnie Harris was out against Ca.l and hopes to return this week.  One would think he is needed in this game because he's probably the only Stanford CB who can effectively cover Fuller consistently.  Stanford has more offensive weapons this year than any time in recent memory, but CMac is clearly the focus of the offense. 

This game should be for a playoff berth, IMO.  If ND wins, they should be in.  If Stanford wins, and next week, they should be in. Would you agree?

I think ND is better than Clemson, but the "moment" of the game got to them in the first 5 minutes.  Clemson was up 14-0 right away, after they calmed down, it was a very close game.  ND had trouble with holding on to the ball in the rain, Clemson didn't and that was difference.  I mean with a 14-0 lead right away and 4 second half ND turnovers, ND was a 2pt conversion away from sending it to overtime.

Is that 7 teams with 6+ wins include Notre Dame, or is that up to this game?  stanford will be ND's 6th team with 6+ and they very well could be there 5 with 9+ if pitt can beat Miami.  that to me shows both teams have had to play tough week in and week out and you are going to get a loss along the way doing that, its hard to take that kind of beating every week. So props to you guys for your schedule as well.  IMO you guys get a ton of props for playing ND and Northwestern out of conference while playing inside a power 5 conference.

I was really disappointed by that Oregon loss, besides it hurting ND's SOS, i was really looking forward to a top 5 match up to end the year, just as a fan.  I think as a complete team it is easily the most physical team for ND.  Clemson had a pretty physical D and BC hit harder than anyone i have seen, every tackle had a good solid "pop" to it. But i don't think they have played as physical of an offense this year. 

i agree Hogan will determine this game,  What does your gut say about him in this game?  I dont want to claim to know to much, ive probably seen him in 6 games the last 2 years, but sometimes it seems like the moment gets to him...

I full expect McCaffrey is going to break at least one big play for a TD, its just a given with ND, lol, but im hoping we can limit that to just 1, but it is doubtful.

I am hoping that if ND wins they can hold of (or jump depending on how tonight goes) Oklahoma , but i unfortunately think that stanford is going to be left out regardless, even though i would like u guys to beat Iowa, Oklahoma and give you a 50/50 on clemson/msu depending on injury situation.

Side question, do you honestly feel that Shaw is a set in stone coach for now and the future of stanford, or do you think a change will be necessary to win it all?  i have always had mix emotions on him.