Battle for the Legends Trophy: Should Notre Dame and Stanford Keep the Rivalry Alive?
Notre Dame is one of the most simultaneously hated and respected programs in College Football. The Irish have seen increased vocal support in the modern era because of the program's strict adherence to tradition. In an era of NIL and conference realignment, Notre Dame has clung tightly to its independence from any conference and to the plethora of annual rivalry games on its slate.
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Each rivalry tells a part of the story of who Notre Dame is today. However, the Stanford rivalry game has become somewhat of a "drag" in the Irish's yearly schedule. Is it time for Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua to consider dropping the Cardinal in favor of a more competitive opponent?
The conception of this rivalry occurred on January 1, 1925, when the legendary four-horseman backfield of Notre Dame met Stanford and Coach Pop Warner in the 1924 Rose Bowl. The Irish defeated the Cardinal 27-10 to bring the national championship trophy back to South Bend for the first time.
I remember the "Glory Days" of this rivalry in the mid-2010s, when Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey won two of three matchups against the Irish in 2014-2016. After McCaffrey left, the series' hype and anticipation dropped off the map, with Notre Dame taking six out of the last seven matchups (often in blowout fashion).
Stanford seems to be an issue of importance in the debate on Notre Dame's controversial strength of schedule. Some claim that neither team benefits from the two-time-zone and 2,369-mile difference between the two schools, while others cite the importance of upholding tradition underneath the Golden Dome.
2018 was the last season Stanford achieved a winning record (not including a shortened 2020 season), after going 9-4 and delivering a Sun Bowl victory. However, in the last eight seasons, the Cardinal haven't even earned bowl eligibility. Furthermore, after the collapse of the PAC-12, the program joined the ACC and has not seen a winning conference record. With Notre Dame and the ACC's scheduling agreement, it's ensured that the Irish will take on the Cardinal some seasons, but some question whether the matchup should take place every year. A large basis for those wishing to terminate the rivalry claims that the matchup does little to nothing beneficial for Notre Dame's playoff chances.
Tradition remains a vital factor in every decision the Notre Dame Athletic Department makes. However, at what point do logistics and cost override the sacred tradition for the Irish? Taking the players, coaches, and staff along with equipment across the country is a multi-million-dollar punch in the athletic budget. Is it worth the extra money for an easy win that does little to benefit Notre Dame in the postseason? With the series set to expire in 2028, I wouldn't be surprised if both administrations hesitate to keep this series alive.
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