Notre Dame routed Stanford 45-14 on Saturday night to wrap up their 2021 regular season with an 11-1 record. Will it be enough to get the Irish into the College Football Playoff? They’ll certainly need at least some help to get in but exactly how much is the grand question.
Related: Joel Klatt’s updated top 10 college football rankings
Notre Dame’s defense was again stellar, pitching a first half shutout against the Cardinal, who finish the year just 3-9.
Regardless of what happens in terms of the postseason, this was one of Brian Kelly’s best coaching jobs to date when you consider the issues this team had early on. The Irish finishing the year 11-1 certainly wasn’t expected after that narrow escape against Toledo in week two, but this team improved weekly and now at least has a seat at the table when it comes to debating College Football Playoff merits.
Related: New College Football Playoff rankings projections
Enjoy pictures from the 45-14 win and regular season conclusion below!
Notre Dame v Stanford
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Justin Ademilola #9 and Clarence Lewis #6 of the Notre Dame…
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Justin Ademilola #9 and Clarence Lewis #6 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate after Ademilola recovered a fumble against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Notre Dame v Stanford
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: George Takacs #85 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is congratulated…
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: George Takacs #85 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is congratulated by Kevin Austin Jr. #4 after Takacs scored a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Notre Dame v Stanford
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Jack Coan #17 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is congratulated…
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Jack Coan #17 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is congratulated by Kevin Austin Jr. #4 after Coan threw a touchdown pass against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Notre Dame v Stanford
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Jayson Ademilola #57 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with…
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Jayson Ademilola #57 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates with Isaiah Foskey #7 and Justin Ademilola #9 after he sacked the quarterback against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Notre Dame v Stanford
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Kevin Austin Jr. #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs…
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 27: Kevin Austin Jr. #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball after a reception against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Stanford Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Chris Tyree (25) carries…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Chris Tyree (25) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) celebrates…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) celebrates with running back Kyren Williams (23) after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal safety Kendall Williamson (21) tackles Notre Dame Fighting…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal safety Kendall Williamson (21) tackles Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Jack Coan (17) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) carries…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Kyren Williams (23) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end George Takacs (85) reacts…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end George Takacs (85) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end George Takacs (85) reacts…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end George Takacs (85) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) forces…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) forces a fumble by Stanford Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee (18) during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) celebrates…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) celebrates after recovering a fumble against the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) reacts…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) reacts after recovering a fumble against the Stanford Cardinal during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87) runs after a catch against Stanford Cardinal cornerback Ethan Bonner (13) during the second quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Austin Jones (20) runs through Notre…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Austin Jones (20) runs through Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebackers JD Bertrand (27) and Drew White (40) to score a touchdown during the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4)…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) runs after a catch during the third quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Drew White (40) tackles Stanford…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Drew White (40) tackles Stanford Cardinal running back Austin Jones (20) during the third quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Bo Bauer (52) gestures on…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Bo Bauer (52) gestures on the sideline during the third quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola (57) celebrates…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola (57) celebrates with defensive lineman Justin Ademilola (9) after a sack during the third quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) rushes for…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) rushes for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) celebrates with…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) celebrates with tight end Michael Mayer (87) and wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Houston Griffith (3) gestures after…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Houston Griffith (3) gestures after recovering a fumble during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterbacks Jack Coan (17) and Tyler…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterbacks Jack Coan (17) and Tyler Buchner (12) walk off the field after the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Notre Dame at Stanford
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly receives congratulations…
Nov 27, 2021; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly receives congratulations after the game against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
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