Notre Dame football will enter its game against the Stanford Cardinal as big time favorites, and this is a game that the Irish should win pretty handily.
That doesn’t mean there are going to be some key aspects of the game that the Irish will have to win the game, but there might not be that many. Notre Dame knows that they’ll have to get a win to continue its march to a spot in the College Football Playoff, which they would wrap up if the win streak moves to 10-games.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFind out below three keys for a Notre Dame road victory over the Stanford Cardinal in the 2025 regular season finale.
Notre Dame overcomes the late start time
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price (24) celebrates with wide receiver Malachi Fields (0) after a Price touchdown in the first half of a NCAA football game against Syracuse at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in South Bend.I don’t think anyone was happy when it was announced that this game would be a late kickoff, an extremely late kickoff of 9:30 p.m. CST. It’s obviously going to be the latest start time Notre Dame will have all season, and not only that, they had to travel half-way across the country. This is all about the mental, making sure that the players are prepared for how late it will be. Hopefully a few very late practices happened this week to help prepare of a very long day.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNotre Dame keeps its emotions in check
Notre Dame defensive lineman Jason Onye (47) celebrates tackling Syracuse running back Will Nixon (24) in the first half of a NCAA football game at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in South Bend.The final regular season game can bring out plenty of emotions, especially for some who will be playing in their last regular season game with the Irish. Some will be exhausting their eligibility, others will be leaving for more playing time or off to the NFL. Sure, last weekend was Senior Day and some of those will be gone, but this is the last one that guaranteed, and as long as Notre Dame keeps themselves in check, they should come away with a victory.
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa replacement emerges
Nov 22, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Guerby Lambert, left, offensive lineman Sullivan Absher (75) and offensive lineman Joe Otting (64) celebrate with running back Jeremiyah Love (4) after he scored against the Syracuse Orange during the first half at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn ImagesLet’s be real here, Notre Dame is not losing this game, and has plenty to gain. An impressive win will keep the CFP committee viewing the Irish in good favor, and they’ll get the opportunity to find a few other players that can step. With backup linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa out for the year, Notre Dame needs to find someone to replace him, and will have just one game to do it. He played starters minutes and won’t be easy to replace. Madden Faraimo and Jaylen Sneed are two names that could see more time, as others could emerge as well.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Keys for Notre Dame to avoid an upset on the road the Stanford
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