if i could only give solid write ups like you...hahaha ..but i can give some thoughts on it
Baratti/Spond/Grace/Nix/Schwenke and other injuries have hurt this D. Injuries have plagued this D all year long. It had been a trying time to try and replace the identity for this team with what they lost last year and the injuries that happened. The big question of the game and to answer the question of why the line is what it is. Can ND stop the Stanford Run? They have struggled with running teams all year. The inability to leave teams with 3 and long has rarely happened this year. Stanford obviously a strong power run team has left a lot of teams scratching there head on how to stop them includinig myself. I am not sure how they are going to stop them however what I do know..Is Jarron Jones is playing much better now that he has some experience behind him paying a lot the past 4 games or so. Tuitt and Shembo have been playing amazing and what can I say about Jaylon Smith. The guy has improved every single game and is becoming much more aware on where to be on run plays and how to simply make big plays. He is the best true Freshman LB i have ever seen play. I think this Dline will be able to hold them in check/won't stop them every time but won't give up big plays or give up a ton of points.
The next question is 2 Turnover Tommy...Can he limit himself on the TO side. I have come to the realization that he is going to turn it over (especially in big games) but how many times? Hopefully BK doesn't give him the chance to do to much. At BYU we ran the ball and ran a lot! I am thinkin BK will swallow his pride and being cute with a lot of finesse in the passing game and just run the ball! This just isn't the QB that can play his offence so he needs to adapt which he has done poorly imho with this year or any team with Tommy.
The rivalry of ND Stanford has been a close one. The game has only gotten out of hand once over the past 9 years with Luck and Gerhard torching ND. Other than that game...nothing has been over 2 tds even Lucks Sr year.
I am seeing this score like 21-17 Stanford but if..big if..if Tommy can stay TO free or maybe even one..ND has a chance to win this ball game
i'll finish thoughts as I get time