Stanford (3-1) at Notre Dame (4-0) Oct. 4, 3:30, NBC 

Here’s The Deal: Once and for all, is Notre Dame really worthy of being a top 10 team? A visit from Stanford will go a long way toward answering the debate. 

The Irish have been one of the surprise teams of the season so far. Despite losing key players, the so-called Frozen Five, to August suspensions, they’ve opened with four wins by an average margin of 35-11. But can you really know the potential of team that’s faced Rice, Michigan Purdue and Syracuse? Beat Stanford, a ranked opponent that’s won the last two Pac-12 titles, and it could be time to add Notre Dame to the pool of playoff contenders. 

For the Cardinal, this trip to South Bend provides a chance to prove to the country that the program is still a national power. Stanford blew the first opportunity in Week 2 by losing at home to USC. Now, it has bounced back with wins over Army and Washington, the latter being especially crucial to the Pac-12 race. Restoring some lost swagger and clout, though, will require the Cardinal to hand Notre Dame its first loss of 2014. 
Why Stanford Might Win: This is likely the best defense ND will face this fall. And a largely one-man gang won’t be enough to consistently move the sticks. 

Irish QB Everett Golson has been revelatory in his return to the program, having his hand in 15 of the team’s 17 offensive touchdowns. But more diversity will be needed against this physical Cardinal D. Notre Dame is 75th nationally in rushing, and the staff completely reshuffled the O-line prior to the Syracuse game. Can Golson, predominantly on his own, solve a defense that’s allowed 26 points over four games? Despite wholesale personnel changes, the Stanford defense hasn’t skipped a beat, and veteran corners Wayne Lyons and Alex Carter will be a handful for Golson’s young receivers. 

Why Notre Dame Might Win: Coordinator Brian VanGorder has done a terrific job in his first year replacing Bob Diaco. 
Besides Golson, VanGorder might be the most important individual to the 4-0 start. The Irish have been stout in all areas, but especially on third downs. The unit is young and aggressive, with the quickness in the front seven to exploit a Stanford O-line that hasn’t performed up to its usual standard. In fact, the entire Cardinal offense has been an enigma so far in 2014, averaging just 27 points and failing to live up the potential of its individual parts. LB Jaylon Smith and linemen Jarron Jones, Sheldon Day and Romeo Okwara will cause fits for Stanford’s talented—yet still gelling—front wall. 

Who To Watch Out For: QB Kevin Hogan has mostly been a gem for the Cardinal. He has a strong arm, he’s a good leader and he’s won a ton games. But he also has the nagging tendency to make a couple of crucial mistakes each game, when trying to get the ball to receivers Ty Montgomery and Devon Cajuste. It’ll be up to the Irish to force Hogan into hurried throws that CB Cody Riggs and the rest of the DBs can turn into short-field opportunities. 

The Irish are pining for more chunk yards from the backs, Cam McDaniel, Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant. However, this will be a tough to try and do it. The veteran Stanford defense does an excellent job of getting off the snap and filling lanes. From the second level, Blake Martinez, A.J. Tarpley, James Vaughters and Kevin Anderson are like having extra defensive ends on the field. If Notre Dame is going to win, it’ll again be driven by the right arm of Golson. 

Notre Dame has terrific weapons complementing Golson, like sophomore receivers Will Fuller and Corey Robinson. But they’ve yet to face a challenge like the one they’ll see this Saturday. The Cardinal has yielded just one touchdown pass, and its 3.7 yards per attempt is lowest in the country. Carter and Lyons, as well as safeties Jordan Richards and Zach Hoffpauir, will make the field very small for the Irish. Golson has employed TE Ben Koyack sparingly so far, but that might need to change on Saturday. 

The Cardinal has a budding young star, redshirt freshman Peter Kalambayi, at outside linebacker to complement the veterans at the second level. Kalambayi has emerged as one of the team’s most dangerous pass rushers, collecting three sacks in the win over Washington last week. It’s up to the Irish tackles, Ronnie Stanley on the left side and Christian Lombard on the right, to seal the edge so that Golson can operate in somewhat of a bubble. 

What’s Going To Happen: So many intriguing matchups. So many next-level players going head-to-head. And yet, the game will come down to the kickers. Edge to the Irish. Neither team is going to move the ball with any sustained success or enjoy much breathing room. The defenses will be the dominant forces, and the offenses have generally been light on execution and balance. In the kind of low-scoring scrum that hinges on field position, turnovers and the little things, such as special teams, Kyle Brindza will outkick Jordan Williamson to help keep Notre Dame unbeaten. 

Prediction: Notre Dame 23 … Stanford 20 
Line: Stanford -2 o/u: 44.5 
Must Watch Factor: 5: Gone Girl – 1: Mulaney … 4.5