Notre Dame @ Stanford preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 25, 2010 ) Stanford 37, Notre Dame 14

THE STORY: Quarterback Andrew Luck tries to put a final stamp on his Heisman Trophy campaign when No. 5 Stanford hosts No. 24 Notre Dame on Saturday. Both teams are coming off closer-than-expected victories. Luck and the Cardinal kept their slim national championship hopes alive with a 31-28 victory over California last week, while the Fighting Irish extended their winning streak to four by edging Boston College 16-14.

TV: ABC. LINE: Stanford -6.5.

ABOUT NOTRE DAME (8-3): The Fighting Irish have been carried in recent weeks by their ground game, but they took a hit last week when the team's No. 2 rusher, Jonas Gray (791 yards, 12 touchdowns), was lost for the season because of a knee injury. Junior running back Cierre Wood, who has gained 1,001 yards on the ground and 175 more on 25 receptions, will be counted on to carry more of the load. Mistakes have plagued the Irish, who rank second-to-last nationally in turnover margin (minus-1.09).

ABOUT STANFORD (10-1): The Cardinal boast the nation's most touted NFL prospect in Luck (2,937 yards passing, 31 touchdowns), who ranks fifth among FBS quarterbacks in passing efficiency, but their offense is far from a one-man show. Stanford averages 209 yards on the ground, led by junior Stepfan Taylor (1,035 yards, eight touchdowns). An underrated defense holds up its end, ranking fifth in rushing defense (93.4 yards) and 24th in total defense (333.45). Senior linebackers Chase Thomas has 14.5 tackles for a loss.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Notre Dame leads the series 17-8, but has lost the last two meetings, including 37-14 at home last season. The Irish are 6-5 all-time at Stanford Stadium.

2. Stanford has won 22 of its last 25 home games dating back to the end of the 2007 season, with all of the losses coming in conference play.

3. Notre Dame senior safety Harrison Smith and junior linebacker Manti Te'o enter the game with 299 career tackles apiece, tied for 10th on the school's all-time list.

PREDICTION: Stanford 37, Notre Dame 34 - Though both defenses are improved this season, the series has been dominated by offensive fireworks in recent years and that trend figures to continue Saturday.