Notre Dame's calling card has come on defense this season as the strength of the Fighting Irish certainly comes when it doesn't possess the ball. The offense Stanford brings to South Bend on Saturday averages just 18.5 points per game and has lacked explosivity. The Cardinal average just 4.3 yards per play offensively, ranking 125 of 134 FBS teams.

Sep 20, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Trebor Pena (2) is tackled by Stanford Cardinal linebacker Tristan Sinclair (8) as linebacker Gaethan Bernadel (0) supports during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No. 11 Notre Dame entered its bye week hopeful of making a playoff push. It returns to the field Saturday in control of its playoff fate. The next step: Beating Stanford.