IRISH NEWSWATCH: “Notre Dame-Stanford 2016: Both Teams Seek Bounce-Back; Each of the last four games has been decided by seven points or less” — und.com/John Heisler

… when the Irish and Cardinal have met in each of the last five seasons, both teams have been nationally ranked — with Notre Dame three of the last four seasons ranked ninth or higher. Stanford has played in the Rose Bowl three of the last four years (winning two of those), while Notre Dame appeared in the Bowl Championship Series title game in 2012 and a year ago played in a New Year’s Six contest. In 2016, however, both teams (Stanford at 3-2 and Notre Dame at 2-4) come to Notre Dame Stadium unranked (that hasn’t happened since three straight meetings in 2007-08-09) after both began the year in the Associated Press preseason top 10. … Both teams would like to turn around the turnover totals–with the Irish at minus-five and Stanford at minus-three. … Shaw’s squad will be looking to upgrade an offense that currently averages 19.4 points and 307 yards per game — after the Cardinal a year ago finished at 37.8 and 435.5, respectively. … Kelly’s solution is for he and his team to find ways to close out games. The four Irish losses have come by an average of 5.2 points — and none by more than eight points.

Click here for und.com/John Heisler: “Notre Dame-Stanford 2016: Both Teams Seek Bounce-Back; Each of the last four games has been decided by seven points or less”