[NDIrish]

We were suppose to have this great secondary, and they are really hard hitters and solid tacklers, but they are just a step too late.

Not sure if "a step too late" will be a specific issue against Stanford or not.

However, it appears the und starting nickel backfield runs 5'11'', 5'11'', 6'0'', 6'0'', 6'1''.
So, how well will they cover our guys catching passes who go 6'2'', 6'2'', 6'3'' (that's JJAW - seems taller to me), 6'5'', 6'7''.
Outreaching the defenders is really the plus feature of the Stanford offense right now.

ND has a lot of depth on the D-Line, which can really help us in the 4th quarter, and they area really good at getting pressure, but not sacks - just a step behind.  Our MLB are beasts, but once again - a step behind (kind of a theme huh). 

The mystery component of the Stanford offense is what has happened to the run game.
The optimistic (from Stanford's POV) take is that the problems are largely a combination of OL health and having faced the #2 and #4 rush defenses in the country (ypg) so far this year. Well, those two and #89 $C and not ranked because they are FCS Davis. und comes in at #62, allowing 145 yds/gm and 3.45 yds/carry.

[Davis, by the way, is allowing a very respectable 3.5 yds/carry and 115 yds/game on rush defense. Though of course outside of Stanford that is against San Jose State, San Diego, and Idaho.]

Healthy or not, Stanford looks to have most of their nominal starting OL in the game at South Bend. Love seems to be healthy and Trevor Speights comes back. If we can get anything out of the run game, even if it is only to keep the und safeties up, then that is a bonus.

One thing that may help ND is that their own receivers are that tall or taller, so they are at least use to battling with guys of the height, doesnt mean they are gonna win them, lol, but they have at least seen it.

[NDIrish]

We were suppose to have this great secondary, and they are really hard hitters and solid tacklers, but they are just a step too late.

Not sure if "a step too late" will be a specific issue against Stanford or not.

However, it appears the und starting nickel backfield runs 5'11'', 5'11'', 6'0'', 6'0'', 6'1''.
So, how well will they cover our guys catching passes who go 6'2'', 6'2'', 6'3'' (that's JJAW - seems taller to me), 6'5'', 6'7''.
Outreaching the defenders is really the plus feature of the Stanford offense right now.

ND has a lot of depth on the D-Line, which can really help us in the 4th quarter, and they area really good at getting pressure, but not sacks - just a step behind.  Our MLB are beasts, but once again - a step behind (kind of a theme huh). 

The mystery component of the Stanford offense is what has happened to the run game.
The optimistic (from Stanford's POV) take is that the problems are largely a combination of OL health and having faced the #2 and #4 rush defenses in the country (ypg) so far this year. Well, those two and #89 $C and not ranked because they are FCS Davis. und comes in at #62, allowing 145 yds/gm and 3.45 yds/carry.

[Davis, by the way, is allowing a very respectable 3.5 yds/carry and 115 yds/game on rush defense. Though of course outside of Stanford that is against San Jose State, San Diego, and Idaho.]

Healthy or not, Stanford looks to have most of their nominal starting OL in the game at South Bend. Love seems to be healthy and Trevor Speights comes back. If we can get anything out of the run game, even if it is only to keep the und safeties up, then that is a bonus.

One thing that may help ND is that their own receivers are that tall or taller, so they are at least use to battling with guys of the height, doesnt mean they are gonna win them, lol, but they have at least seen it.