Notre Dame Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2019

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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 29: K.J. Costello #3 of the Stanford Cardinal is sacked by Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the game at Notre Dame Stadium on September 29, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame will end the season with another Pac-12 foe as Stanford could be on the rebound after losing Bryce Love. Although the talented running back had a nightmare senior season with the program after a Heisman-caliber campaign in 2017, he is still going to be tough to replace and whoever does fill his shoes will feel plenty of pressure to reach 1,000 yards.

Stanford does have KJ Costello and a host of talented receivers and tight ends, though. But the one thing the Cardinal didn’t do all that well in 2018 was defend. They ranked 78th in the nation in total yards allowed per game with about 410, which is unlike David Shaw-coached squads.

Things must change in 2019 if the Cardinal want to get back to contending for the conference title, but don’t expect much against Notre Dame.

This won’t be much of a defensive affair on either ends as the Irish will have a rare struggle on that side of the ball as Costello and Ian Book have quite the quarterback duel.

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This one goes down to the wire, but Brian Kelly makes the right calls down the stretch to eke out a big win to improve to 10-2 on the year. A New Year’s Six bowl berth is headed Notre Dame’s way.

Final Score: Notre Dame 38, Stanford 35 (10-2)

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