Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Stanford Cardinal Prediction and Picks - November 29, 2025

By: Dean Whitaker Published 11/28/2025, 03:44 PM ET
Elijah Brown looks to lead the Cardinal over the Irish
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Saturday evening on the college gridiron, and we have a Notre Dame vs Stanford prediction locked and loaded for you. The Fighting Irish come in off a 70-7 demolition of Syracuse at home to move to 9-2 on the year. As of now, they are ranked 9th in the nation and in the playoffs. Stanford comes in off a 31-10 home win over California, but they are still just 4-7 on the year. Can Notre Dame solidify their spot in the playoffs? Read on to see our Notre Dame vs Stanford prediction.

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The Irish Obliterate The Orange

Notre Dame’s most recent game was a 70-7 demolition of Syracuse on November 22, a Senior Day blowout that showcased just how dominant the Irish can be when everything clicks. Jeremiyah Love ran wild with 171 yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries, while the defense scored three times before the offense even took the field. It was the kind of statement win that reminded everyone why Notre Dame is still lurking in the playoff conversation, improving to 9-2 overall.

The Irish offense has been balanced all season, averaging over 430 yards per game with CJ Carr managing the passing attack and Love spearheading the ground game. Carr has thrown for more than 2,500 yards with 22 touchdowns, spreading the ball to receivers like Malachia Fields, who has 608 yards and five scores. The running game has been the real hammer, with Love’s 1,306 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns putting him firmly in the Heisman discussion. Notre Dame’s offensive line has paved the way for explosive plays, and when they get rolling early, they can bury opponents quickly—as Syracuse learned the hard way.

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Defensively, Notre Dame has been opportunistic and aggressive, allowing just 21 points per game while forcing turnovers at a high clip. Linebacker Drayk Bowen leads the team with 60 tackles, and Leonard Moore’s pick-six against Syracuse was his third defensive score in two weeks. The Irish thrive on pressure, collapsing pockets and forcing quarterbacks into mistakes. Against Stanford, they’ll look to replicate that formula, knowing the Cardinal have struggled with turnovers all season.

Defense Steps Up In Win Over Cal

Stanford’s last game was a 31-10 win over California on November 22, snapping a four-game losing streak in the Big Game. The Cardinal defense stole the show, returning two fumbles for touchdowns, while quarterback Elijah Brown threw a 34-yard strike to CJ Williams in the fourth quarter to seal it. Running back Micah Ford added 150 rushing yards and a score, giving Stanford a much-needed boost heading into their finale against Notre Dame.

The Cardinal offense has been inconsistent, averaging 362 yards per game and scoring just 22.7 points per contest. Brown has thrown for 1,813 yards with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions, struggling at times with accuracy but still capable of hitting big plays downfield. Ford has been the most reliable weapon, rushing for 643 yards and four touchdowns, while Williams leads the receiving corps with 735 yards and six scores. Stanford has shown flashes of balance, but turnovers and stalled drives have plagued them against stronger defenses.

Defensively, Stanford has allowed 30.5 points per game, ranking near the bottom nationally, but their opportunistic play against Cal was a reminder they can still swing momentum. Linebacker Matt Rose leads the team with 97 tackles, and the Cardinal have leaned on forcing mistakes to stay competitive. Still, they’ve given up nearly 378 yards per game, and facing Notre Dame’s explosive offense is a daunting task. For Stanford to keep this close, they’ll need Ford to control the ground game and Brown to avoid costly turnovers against one of the nation’s most aggressive defenses.

Notre Dame vs Stanford Pick

Notre Dame vs Stanford Spread Pick

  • Notre Dame -32.5 (4 Units)

Notre Dame -32.5 makes sense because the Irish have shown they can completely overwhelm weaker opponents, as evidenced by their 70-7 blowout of Syracuse last week. CJ Carr has been sharp in the passing game, and Jeremiyah Love has been unstoppable on the ground with over 1,300 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns this season. When the offensive line gets rolling, Notre Dame can pile up points in a hurry, and their depth at receiver ensures they don’t stall out even if defenses key on Love. Against a Stanford team that has struggled with turnovers and consistency, the Irish have the firepower to cover a massive spread.

On the defensive side, Notre Dame has been just as dominant, allowing only 21 points per game and thriving on turnovers. Leonard Moore’s pick-six against Syracuse was just the latest example of how opportunistic this unit has been, and their ability to pressure quarterbacks should cause major problems for Elijah Brown, who has thrown 10 interceptions this season. Stanford’s offense has been inconsistent and prone to mistakes, while their defense has given up over 30 points per game, which is a dangerous profile against an Irish team that needs style points for playoff consideration. With both sides of the ball clicking, Notre Dame has every reason to win big and cover the -32.5.

Notre Dame vs Stanford Over/Under Pick

  • Over 49.5 (5 Units)

The Over 49.5 looks appealing because Notre Dame’s offense has been rolling, averaging well over 33 points per game and coming off a 70-point explosion against Syracuse, while Stanford has shown they can at least put points on the board with playmakers like Micah Ford and CJ Williams. The Irish have the firepower to push this total high on their own, with Jeremiyah Love’s rushing dominance and CJ Carr’s efficiency through the air, but Stanford’s ability to hit a few big plays against aggressive defenses adds to the scoring potential. With Notre Dame needing style points and Stanford prone to turnovers that can lead to short fields, this matchup sets up for a game that clears the number.

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