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Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons Irish will beat Stanford in Week 13

By Connor Muldowney

SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Jonathan Bonner #55, Jay Hayes #93 and Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a defensive stop on 4th down against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - NOVEMBER 18: (L-R) Jonathan Bonner #55, Jay Hayes #93 and Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate a defensive stop on 4th down against the Navy Midshipmen at Notre Dame Stadium on November 18, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Navy 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football will hit the road for a tough matchup against Stanford in Week 13. Here’s why the Irish will come away on top.

It’s been a turnaround season for the ages if you’re a Notre Dame football fan. The Fighting Irish went from 4-8 last year to now 9-2 with a chance to earn a 10th regular season win against Stanford in Week 13. On top of that, the College Football Playoff isn’t out of the question completely yet and neither is a New Year’s Six bowl.

Brian Kelly has done a fantastic job this season, going from hot seat to potentially national coach of the year. Not many coaches can do what he did, but he has a big test ahead of him against the Stanford Cardinal to end the year.

Here’s why the Fighting Irish will take down Stanford on the road in Week 13.

5. Bounce-back for Brandon Wimbush

This is the ideal scenario for Brandon Wimbush. After a number of shaky performances in a row, the junior quarterback faces a mediocre Stanford run defense which allows over 170 yards per game on the ground. Although Wimbush is a quarterback, he’s been considered as a run-first player all season.

Wimbush has four 100-yard rushing performances this season, but his shakiness through the air has caused concerns among the fan base. Brian Kelly may also be concerned with his inacurracy lately through the air, but as long as he can tuck and run effectively, the pass will open up.

Against the Cardinal on Saturday night, Wimbush will bounce back and get on track with 200 yards passing against a secondary that has struggled and another 100 rushing yards. Finally, a bounce-back game for the early-season breakout star.

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