Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons Ian Book should be a Heisman candidate

2. The Stanford game

With the Notre Dame offense coming off a big game, the Irish’s biggest game of the season shifted towards their game against the Stanford Cardinal. Just like the Irish, the Cardinal had already picked up some big time wins in preparation of their showdown in South Bend. Coming off a comeback win against Oregon, the Cardinal were slightly favored to win this top-10 matchup.

Well, Stanford should’ve just stayed at home because Ian Book and the Irish put on an offensive clinic. Book started off the game by completing 12 of his 14 passes in the first half, which included two touchdowns that broke score ties. And even though Book came down to earth, or close to it, and completed just 63 percent of his passes in the second half, he was still able to throw another two touchdowns that opened up and sealed the deal in the Irish’s win.

Once the final whistle blew, Book’s numbers consisted of 278 yards and four touchdowns, while completing 73 percent of his passes. These are the kind of numbers you expect someone to have against a Ball State or a Vanderbilt, not a Stanford team that had been playing great defense for most of the season.

A big win with astounding numbers, should have Ian Book climbing up the Heisman ladder on every voter’s ballot.