Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Game Preview: Stanford The Grind A long and tough Pac-12 schedule beat the Cardinal at its own game T By Dan Murphy he door seemed to be wide-open for a No. 5-ranked Stanford team to march on to its second consecutive Rose Bowl, if not better, this season. The Cardinal knocked off No. 2 Oregon in a battle for control of the Pac-12 North in early November, a game many perceived to be a playoff for a ticket to the conference championship game. Through games of Nov. 16, fifth-year senior outside linebacker Trent Stanford physically Murphy led the nation in sacks (12) and ranked second in tackles for punished the Ducks, loss (18). photo courtesy stanford running 66 times for 274 yards on the way to a decisive win back into the conversation by beating that reinforced its brand as a team Oregon, Stanford lost 20-17 to a streakthat pounds its opponents into sub- ing USC team, giving the Cardinal two mission. The Cardinal, on offense and losses and likely ending its hopes for a defense, has found success by wearing BCS bowl bid. Kevin Gemmell, who covers the Pacopposing teams down. This year, an unrelenting Pac-12 schedule gave the 12 for ESPN.com, said there's no fatal flaw keeping a sound and deep StanCardinal a taste of its own medicine. An early, unexpected loss to Utah ford program from taking the final left head coach David Shaw's team on jump from perennial BCS contender the outside looking in at the national to a national championship game. It's title picture. A week after jumping just a matter of trying to survive.