Last week:Â Beat Oregon in OT, 38-31
This week:Â at No. 8 Notre Dame, 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Stanford’s offense is as reliable and efficient as any in the conference and, despite a slow start in Eugene, it bounced back with a 24-point second half of its own to force overtime — and then beat the Ducks. The focus here is on the Cardinal defense, which entered Saturday allowing just over seven points per game, best in the country. The 31 it surrendered to an equally potent Ducks offense was a far cry from what Stanford is accustomed to. But its showing in the second half and OT — allowing Oregon seven points and forcing three turnovers — proved how legitimate Stanford is. Bryce Love and a dangerous defense will spell trouble for any opponent in the Cardinal’s way, making it an overwhelming favorite in the Pac-12.