Notre Dame returns from its bye week in control of its own playoff destiny. Next up is Stanford on Saturday. With one loss already, the Fighting Irish must defend their home field against a Cardinal squad trying to gain traction during its toughest stretch of the season, following back-to-back losses to then-No. 17 Clemson and Virginia Tech.

Notre Dame's calling card has come on defense this season as the strength of the Fighting Irish certainly comes when it doesn't possess the ball. The offense Stanford brings to South Bend on Saturday averages just 18.5 points per game and has lacked explosivity. The Cardinal average just 4.3 yards per play offensively, ranking 125 of 134 FBS teams.

It's five weeks down and seven to go for Notre Dame football, which feels good about its collective selves after winning three in a row