The Fighting Irish take on the Stanford Cardinal Saturday. Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh has injected a dose of energy into the program, maximizing the potential of his players.
The strength of the Cardinal is a potent rushing attack and the ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
Through five contests Stanford has rushed for 168.4 yards per game. Additionally, their top three backs are averaging greater than 5.3 yards per carry. This comes against competition that allows approximately 129 yards rushing per game at a rate of 3.8 yards per carry.
For the second straight week the Irish will face a very proficient red zone offense. The direct result of an effective running game, Stanford’s offense is converting 92 percent of red zone attempts into scores.
With an aggressive, blitzing defense similar to that of Notre Dame, Stanford has also recorded 15 sacks.
But that is really where the good ends and the problems begin.
This season, Stanford has passed for only 140 yards per game. The defense is allowing opponents to convert on third down nearly 50 percent of the time and surrenders points 88 percent of the time they enter the red zone. Finally, the Cardinal defense has allowed nearly 260 yards per game through the air.
For Notre Dame the game plan must feature a combination of things from the Michigan State and Purdue games.
Offense
1. Score early and often. While the Irish won’t face a running back of Javon Ringer’s caliber, Toby Gerhart and Anthony Kimble are more than capable runners who form a nice one-two punch for Stanford.
Stopping the run has been problematic for the Irish, giving up 4.6 yards per carry on the year. The strategy of the Irish offense must help mitigate this problem on defense.
As such, it is important to build a substantial early lead. This will force Stanford to abandon the run, instead relying on their anemic passing attack.
2. Be a control freak. Notre Dame must control the football and win the time of possession battle. Offensive coordinator Mike Haywood needs to abandon the vertical passing game on third down in favor of a more consistent, possession offense. This will keep the Irish defense fresh against the Cardinal rushing attack.
3. Be en vogue. The Irish obviously aren’t a run-first team. Against Purdue Notre Dame showed they could open up the run with the pass. It will be advantageous for Notre Dame to use their spread offense to open up the field and get running back Armando Allen space.
In conjunction with this, it is paramount for the Irish to be efficient in their execution. Against a team that turns virtually every red zone appearance into points, the offense must change field position and prevent turnovers in Irish territory.
Defense
1. Sell out. Notre Dame’s defense must shoot the gaps on first down and sell out against the run. The strength of the defense is defending the pass. The Cardinal struggle to execute in their passing game and frequently allow quarterback Tavita Pritchard to be pressured. Getting the Stanford offense in long down-and-distance situations will go a long way to utilizing Notre Dame’s biggest asset.
2. Force Pritchard to win the game. Pritchard is tasked with managing the game, being proficient, and providing relief for the Cardinal rushing attack. He isn’t challenged to win the game. Commit to stopping the run on first down, put the game in Pritchard’s hands, and go after him. Offensive tackle Chris Marinelli has provided all the ammunition needed for an already aggressive Irish defense.
3. Continue the red zone defense. Last game Purdue entered converting 90 percent of their red zone tries into points. Despite surrendering 462 yards of offense, the Irish defense only allowed Purdue to convert one of three red zone tries. This bend-but-not-break defense will be an asset against the Cardinal offense.
