Notre Dame Football: 5 toughest opponents in 2018

Stanford is currently in the midst of their longest winning streak over Notre Dame in program history. The Cardinal have won three consecutive games and nine of the last 11 contests. Notre Dame has been strong over the past decade, but their inability to solve Stanford has been frustrating.

Notre Dame has the fortune of playing this game at home. Their last two wins over Stanford have come in South Bend. They’ll need the homefield advantage once again this season.

Part of Notre Dame’s struggles against Stanford has been the dominant rushing attacks of the Cardinal. Christian McCaffrey is gone, but Bryce Love isn’t. The senior-to-be surprised most when he elected to forgo the NFL Draft and return to school. Whenever he takes the field fireworks follow.

Love was nicked up down the stretch last season but still managed to waltz through the Notre Dame defense for 125 yards. While he ran free, quarterback K.J. Costello threw for four touchdowns. At that point, the Irish had already lost hope in their season. An earlier contest this year should keep them mentally engaged.