OT: Stanford-ND: thoughts and/or predilections?

Submitted by SFBlue on

My heart says Stanford, but for the sake of U-M strength of schedule (and to further legitimize Michigan's utter Denarding of ND), I feel I need to pull for Notre Dame.  I see this as a close one for the first three quarters, with Stanford wearing down the Irish in the 4th by dint of superior size and physicality. 

Predict: Stanford 31, ND 21

Njia

September 24th, 2010 at 9:18 PM ^

But I have to agree: from a strength of schedule perspective, it's best for U-M if ND wins. So far, Stanford has played a couple of tomato cans, so it's hard to tell if they're really as good as they seem to be. ND has had a pretty tough schedule (we all hope). If they win one against Stanford, that makes our win in South Bend look better.

BlueTimesTwo

September 25th, 2010 at 12:23 AM ^

While Stanford's opponents may have been tomato-can-ish thus far, they have absolutely shitrocked those opponents.  Stanford seems to be pretty legit, while ND hasn't shown too much thus far.  Even though stupid things happen when teams play at ND, my money would still be on Stanford, probably by about 10.

BiSB

September 24th, 2010 at 9:18 PM ^

A bunch of pissed off people in my bankruptcy class on monday.

FWIW, the ND student body received an e-mail entitled "A Call To Arms" from the Leprechaun yesterday, reminding people about a pep rally today.  It started as follows:

We are all aware the outcomes of the last two football games have not been favorable; lesser teams and student bodies would be ready to throw in the towel after the last couple of heartbreaking losses we've experienced. Yet your loyalty, determination, and commitment to this team is still unmatched. So I tip my Leprechaun hat to you for your indefatigable Fighting Irish spirit and dedication to this team. That being said, this season is far from over. There is no sign of quit in our football team and I know they are going to go out this weekend and pound on an arrogant Stanford team. This is our house, and we will not surrender another loss on this sacred playing field. It is time to rally as a student body around our fans, coaches, and football team as they prepare to take down the Cardinal.

The line between optimism and delusional arrogance = so, so fine.

jshclhn

September 24th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^

I always found it hard to pull for M's rivals.  While I agree it helps Blue's strength of schedule to have a strong Notre Dame, OSU, etc., when I get my hands on a NCAA Football game on my XBox 360, I can't help but make it my secondary mission to see the Buckeyes (and usually ND as well) crash into a big heap of flames.

I find it a bit easier to root for Harbaugh, even if he has said some things about the RichRod regime that weren't the best natured.

jmblue

September 24th, 2010 at 9:36 PM ^

Harbaugh has strongly suggested that, going back to the days of Bo, our program has had little academic integrity.  Nice guy.

I'm not much of a Kelly fan either, though, so I'm going to remove my feelings for the coaches and just root for an ND loss so we can gain another game in the all-time standings. 

MWW6T7

September 24th, 2010 at 9:22 PM ^

I am predicting an incredible TWIS from some more ND fans completely jumping ship and totally vacating everything to do with Kelly and ND football.

Plegerize

September 24th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^

Stanford is waay too good for a letdown against Notre Dame. I see Stanford beating them, but not rolling over them. Andrew Luck is a good QB and he's gonna make Notre Dame's defense look silly.

snowcrash

September 24th, 2010 at 9:29 PM ^

ND desperately needs to win this game and will jump out to an early lead, but coming off two grueling games they won't have enough left in the tank. Stanford's OL will grind them down in the second half.

grand river fi…

September 24th, 2010 at 9:33 PM ^

I think Stanford's offense is too strong for Notre Dame, and their defense has looked better then either of our's or MSU's, so I think they'll win by two touchdowns.

I agree it'd be better for Michigan to have ND win, but I find it impossible to root for them, and strength of schedule is going to have no bearing on what bowl game we end up in since I doubt we'll be in a BCS bowl.

South Bend Wolverine

September 24th, 2010 at 9:39 PM ^

"I agree it'd be better for Michigan to have ND win, but I find it impossible to root for them, and strength of schedule is going to have no bearing on what bowl game we end up in since I doubt we'll be in a BCS bowl."

Good point here.  We really don't need to worry about our SoS this year, since we're not in BCS/NC contention.  In a couple years, when that's changed, things will be different.  For now, let's enjoy Schadenfreude wherever we can find it.

M Fanfare

September 25th, 2010 at 1:14 AM ^

"The Cardinal" refers to Stanford's school colors, cardinal and white. When Stanford decided to drop their previous nickname (the Stanford Indians) they couldn't reach a consensus on a new nickname, so people just started calling them the Cardinal. I read somewhere that the majority of students wanted to change the nickname to the Stanford Robber Barons in tribute to founder Leland Stanford but the administration shot the proposal down.

victors2000

September 24th, 2010 at 9:51 PM ^

Now that they've been mediocre for a significant amount of time, I mean like, A LONG TIME, I've re-evaluated them internally and...well, that's what I'm doing. Before, they used to be this team with a aura, a genuine 'Luck of the Irish' thingy that seemed to destine a happy ending for them, and they came from the enchanted land of South Bend that had a Touchdown Jesus and a Golden Dome. Now they're just another gold helmeted team from a school in northern Indiana that's sorta close to Chicago. I pity the fools! Besides, I caught the tail end of Rudy the other night and I got sentimental. I most certainly don't pull for Stanford, although I am a tree hugger, but I rarely pull for a PAC 10 school ever.

Besides, it looks better for us if the Irish win.

So, Go Irish!

BlueinLansing

September 24th, 2010 at 9:57 PM ^

get mentaly up for this game after their last two losses.  Stanford is just a much better football team all around.  I don't think this will be close, if it is its because of the damn karma and magical unicorn crap that happens down there.

bronxblue

September 24th, 2010 at 10:30 PM ^

I think ND pulls off the upset.  They have been thisclose the past two weeks, and probably should have won against MSU.  Stanford looks like the better team, but I find it hard to imagine this ND team not pulling off at least one big upset this season, and I'm not sure we know just how good this Stanford team really is - yeah they beat WFU, but I'm fairly UMass would have beaten them as well.  Just a weird match-up, and while I want to see ND lose from a rivalary perspective, this team looks ready to break out.

ND 42-36.

Mr. Robot

September 24th, 2010 at 10:44 PM ^

The PAC-10 is between Stanford and Oregon this year, methinks. Harbaugh is also a real douche when it comes to running up the score, and I'm sure playing an old rival of his will only motivate him more. Stanford wins big.

EGD

September 24th, 2010 at 10:48 PM ^

Notre Dame is a couple plays from being 3-0, and Stanford--who has looked good but hasn't played anyone--is traveling cross-country.  I think this is a pretty good matchup and will be a close, competitive game.  I predict ND to win it, something like 34-31.

Jensencoach

September 24th, 2010 at 11:14 PM ^

Notre Dame has got to win.  It is going to be a real uncomfortable season if they can't get a W this week.  Plus, a ND victory makes our win against them more meaningful.