In what is expected to be his final home game for Stanford, quarterback Andrew Luck has looked only average in the past couple weeks. He's thrown three interceptions in the last two games and missed on some open throws. Luck is still clearly the best talent in the 2012 NFL Draft, but the gap between he and the other players in the class may be narrowing.
Notre Dame at Stanford NFL Draft watch notes
The gap between Iowa's Riley Reiff and Stanford's Jonathan Martin may also be getting smaller. Martin hasn't been dominant of late and will have his hands full with a Notre Dame defensive line that always plays hard.
The Notre Dame offense has been inconsistent throughout the season, but wide receiver Michael Floyd hasn't been. He practically carried the Fighting Irish over Purdue in the team's 16-14 win last week. It was his fourth game of 10 or more receptions this season. He's consistently come up big for the Irish this season. He was graded a third-round player after last season, but looks like a first-round talent now.
Notre Dame inside linebacker Manti Te'o may not be making as many plays in the middle today if Stanford star guard David DeCastro is assigned to him. DeCastro, a likely All-American, can get out on the move and could neutralize the physical and talent Notre Dame junior.
Another showdown to observe tonight could be Irish strong safety Harrison Smith covering Stanford tight end Coby Fleener. Fleener, and the other Stanford tight ends, have the size and athleticism advantage over Smith. But Smith has come up big a lot this season. He's a sure tackler and instinctual enough to know when to make a play on the ball without getting penalized.
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