Instant Reaction: Stanford 38 - Notre Dame 20

Notre Dame went into the 4th quarter with a 20-17 lead. Before the 10 minute mark in that same quarter they were down 18. 

That wasn't the entire story, but it's the story of how two turnovers completely flipped a close game and turned it into a blowout. The Irish outgained the Cardinal, were much better on 3rd down, and created explosive plays with their passing game that they haven't had all season. But they got crushed under the weight of those turnovers. 

Crushed is an appropriate word because I'm sure the Notre Dame players had their spirits crushed with this finish after a brilliant 8-1 start to this season. I'll have all of next week to write about more big picture stuff. Might as well get into the game.

- The first thing I'm sure everyone is thinking about after the game is Brandon Wimbush, but I'm going to start with the offensive line. I really felt that they were starting to play better in the second quarter on that one 15 play drive, but this was not a great performance by them to put it kindly.

I'll have to go back and watch it, but there were so many times they were slow getting off double teams or simply flat out missing assignments in the run game. Harrison Phillips definitely gave them all they could handle on the interior, but the other players Stanford has are just average. Elite is supposed to dominate average and that wasn't anything close to what happened in this game. They did play elite the first couple of months of the season. They definitely did not in November.

The Irish averaged 3.5 yards per carry against what was considered a bad run defense. They stacked the box, but it wasn't like the extra guy was always making the tackle. Notre Dame didn't do a good enough job blocking their front seven. That was extremely disappointing.

- Josh Adams might not have had a lot of help, but I thought he made some bad reads today. Had some chances for more yards, but wasn't decisive when he needed to be. 

- I really don't know how they are going to approach Wimbush after this game. His interception was obviously a turning point, but it obviously goes much deeper than that. 

For all of the value he brings as a runner, he is still in the same place he was a passer from September to now. He's had a ton of snaps and live reps. His mechanics are still all over the place and he again finished with a completion percentage under 50%. He's completed 50% or less of his passes in eight games.

That's not good enough to win at the highest level in college football. It's on him, but it's also on the coaches. I include Brian Kelly, Tom Rees, and Chip Long with that . He pretty much went an entire season with minimal improvement.

I'm pretty sure he'll start the bowl game, but it would be absolutely crazy to say he is your guy without making it a legitimate competition in the spring. He still has a long way to go.

- I know he has not been a bright spot this season (quarterback play has been part of it), but it was great to see Equanimeous St. Brown score on that 75 yard touchdown. To have him and KJ Stepherson both make big plays after the catch is exactly what the offense has been missing for most of this season.

- What a shame that the turnovers ended up putting a damper on what was a really strong performance by the Irish front seven. Those guys came to play today and deserved better with the way they shut down Bryce Love for most of the game. I don't blame them for the last couple of scoring drives either with Stanford gifted great field position.

Jerry Tillery was awesome. It might have been his best game of the season and he's had quite a few. The linebackers were very good, but it was Tillery and the rest of the defensive line up front that helped them look so good. 

- It's been a rough few weeks for Shaun Crawford in the nickel. That Kaden Smith touchdown was a great throw by KJ Costello, but Crawford was flat out beat. It wasn't a size issue on that play. He just got beat.

- Julian Love is the one guy Notre Dame can count on in the secondary. That's the list. They simply don't have enough players like him and that's a problem.

- Bryce Love is a baller. Kid was clearly playing hurt for weeks and has still been very good. The good news is that he should be in the NFL next year and not playing for Stanford. 

- I said on Thursday that this game means more and it did. That's why losing it is such a big deal.

I'm sure there is plenty of reaction from people calling for Kelly's job after this game and another poor performance in November. While the improvement this year in many areas and the 9 (possibly 10 wins after a bowl) will not lead to it being a consideration by the administration in my opinion,  it's really hard to ignore the facts of what has happened.

Yes, it's hard win on the road and hard to win in November. But 0-4 at Stanford is not what is expected out Notre Dame's football coach. Twice being ranked in the top four before the Playoff and falling out of it is also not what is expected. 4-8 is definitely not what is expected, but no need to go down that road.

I hope that leading into the bowl game there is the same kind of examination of the program that Kelly had last off-season. They made significant strides to make things better. But is this better going to lead to better next season of will the same issues persist? I hope they take a long look at everything and don't settle for less than trying to get championship level talent and play from each position on the football team.