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Stanford Cardinals vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish NCAA Predictions

Written September 29, 2008 by Jason Lowry

This weekend an interesting matchup has the Stanford Cardinals of the Pac 10 taking on a much improved Notre Dame team. The Cardinals got their record over
.500 for the first time this season, as they went into Washington and took home a 35-28 win on the road. The Fighting Irish got back on track after a tough loss at Michigan State the week before, and beat up on another Big 10 team, as they beat Purdue 38-21 at home. With the Pac 10 looking like its not having its best season, and the Irish looking like a bowl team again, its no wonder why the odds makers have the Irish as 7.5 point favorites over the Cardinals at Sportsbook.com

The Cardinals offense had to like what it saw when former 3 year starter Anthony Kimble came in and produced his best game of his career. After starter Toby Gerhart went out with a concussion, Kimble responded by running it 15 times for 157 yards and 2 scores, including a 83 yard run for a score early in the 3rd quarter. Kimble wasn’t the only one showcasing his talents, as quarterback Tavita Pritchard threw for 222 yards and 3 scores. Receiver Ryan Whalen was the go to target grabbing 7 balls for a team leading 76 yards, and one of Pritchards 3 scores. No other receiver had more than 2 catches so its easy to see where the focus is in the passing game. This unit will have to be at its best if they plan on going into Notre Dame and pull off the upset.

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The Cardinals defense has given up its fair share of points as every team they have played but San Jose State has put up at least 28 points. In their 2 losses this season at Arizona State and TCU they gave up 41 and 31 points, so its easy to see that this defense has it struggles. This unit doesn’t seem to be much better against the run or the pass. This team gave up over 370 yards of offense to an 0-4 Huskies team, and if they continue to play like this its going to be hard for the offense to keep up with opposing teams. Bet Stanford +7.5 at Sportsbook.com

Making sure that the Cardinals don’t have a shot in this one, will be the offensive group of the Irish, who have looked in good in every game except their 7 point performance against Michigan State. The offense had it clicking last week when quarterback Jimmy Clausen threw for a career high 275 yards and added on 3 scores as well. The running game was also rolling as Armando Allen Jr. ran 17 times for 134 yards and a score. This unit should have no problem carving up the defense of the Cardinals this week, as they have struggled to stop everyone.

The real key could come in how the defense plays, as the offense can score all it wants, but if the defense doesn’t stop the other team it can all go for nothing. Last week Purdue tried to do just that as Curtis Painter threw 55 times for 359 yards and 2 scores. The Boilermakers didn’t run much, but did manage 103 yards on just 17 carries. The Irish defense has to start playing better, or its going to find itself in a shootout every week. Bet Irish -7.5 at Sportsbook.com

Though he doesn’t see a real sure thing in this one, professional handicapper Jason Lowry is willing to give you his free football picks on this one, as he sees the Irish winning this one by 2 scores. Stanford 24 Notre Dame 38