[81alum]

Notre Dame's defense, particularly with some returning players, could be the best defense we have faced and will at least have more depth than SC.  Their offense is hard to predict but should do better than 13 points.  In low scoring games, the difference is often defensive scores, special teams, a critical penalty that takes points off the board (as was true both to hurt us against USC and to help us against Washington.) 

The game could be decided by which of the two offensive lines jell first.  Both offenses have been hampered by inconsistent O-line play.  Can Stanford start to run the ball with more consistency and authority?  Can Notre Dame start to pass protect?  If one of the two teams has a breakout game with its O-line and the other O-line plays as poorly as in the early games, then the better O-line wins the game for its team.

[81alum]

Notre Dame's defense, particularly with some returning players, could be the best defense we have faced and will at least have more depth than SC.  Their offense is hard to predict but should do better than 13 points.  In low scoring games, the difference is often defensive scores, special teams, a critical penalty that takes points off the board (as was true both to hurt us against USC and to help us against Washington.) 

The game could be decided by which of the two offensive lines jell first.  Both offenses have been hampered by inconsistent O-line play.  Can Stanford start to run the ball with more consistency and authority?  Can Notre Dame start to pass protect?  If one of the two teams has a breakout game with its O-line and the other O-line plays as poorly as in the early games, then the better O-line wins the game for its team.