Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson (5) leaves the field after an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014, in East Rutherford, N.J. Notre Dame won 31-15. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (The Associated Press)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Ninth-ranked Notre Dame is preparing for its toughest challenge so far this season.
After beating four teams with a combined record of 7-11, the Irish (4-0) face 14th-ranked Stanford (3-1) on Saturday. The Cardinal has the nation's top-rated defense and has beaten the Irish four of their last five meetings.
So it's the first real test for a young Irish squad coming off a sloppy victory over Syracuse where they won despite five turnovers.
The Irish are ranked higher than the Cardinal but are one-point underdogs, just the second time since the start of 2011 season an opponent has been favored at Notre Dame Stadium.
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