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Stanford previewNov. 27, 2013 The Grind By Dan Murphy A long and tough Pac-12 schedule beat the Cardinal at its own game Fifth-year senior outside linebacker Trent Murphy leads the nation in sacks (13) and is ranked fourth in tackles for loss (19). photo courtesy stanford T he door seemed to be wide-open for a No. 5-ranked Stanford team to march on to its second consecutive Rose Bowl, if not better, this season. The Cardinal knocked off No. 2 Oregon in a battle for control of the Pac-12 North in early November, a game many perceived to be a playoff for a ticket to the conference championship game. Stanford physically punished the Ducks, running 66 times for 274 yards on the way to a decisive win that reinforced its brand as a team that pounds its opponents into submission. The Cardinal (9-2) has found success by wearing opposing teams down on offense and defense. This year, an unrelenting Pac-12 schedule gave the Cardinal a taste of its own medicine. An early, unexpected loss to Utah left head coach David Shaw's team on the outside looking in at the national title picture. A week after jumping back into the conversation by beating Oregon, Stanford lost 20‑17 to a streaking USC team, giving the Cardinal two losses and likely ending its hopes for a BCS bowl bid. Kevin Gemmell, who covers the Pac-12 for ESPN.com, said there's no fatal flaw keeping a sound and deep Stanford program from taking the final jump from perennial BCS contender to a national championship game. It's just a matter of trying to survive. "I don't think it's anything in particular schematically. I think it's just the fact that the Pac-12 is tough. People don't appreciate the nine-game conference schedule," he said. "It is a grind. They don't get Idaho in the middle of November, and they don't get Chattanooga in the middle of Novem- ber. They don't get any of those get-well games. I think it's just the wear and tear." Stanford doles out its fair share of the West Coast wear and tear, particularly with a nasty defense that ranks in the top 10 nationally in team sacks (tied for ✦ Game Facts Date: Nov. 30, 2013. Site: Stanford Stadium (50,000). Kickoff: 7 p.m. EST. Television: FOX. Radio: This broadcast can be heard on SIRIUS Satellite Radio (channel 129). Series Facts: This is the 27th meeting between Notre Dame and Stanford. The Irish hold an 18-9 advantage over the Cardinal, and won the last meeting 20-13 in overtime at South Bend in 2012. Coaches: Notre Dame — Brian Kelly (36-14, fourth season); Stanford — David Shaw (32-6, third season). Noting Stanford: Notre Dame clinched its first national championship in its first win over Stanford, a 27-10 decision on Jan. 1, 1925, in the Rose Bowl … The coaching matchup in that first game was Knute Rockne versus Pop Warner …The winner of the series has received the Legends Trophy — an Irish crystal bowl on top of California Redwood mounting — each season since 1989 … Stanford head coach David Shaw was a sophomore wide receiver for the 1992 Cardinal team that upset No. 6 Notre Dame for its only loss of the season … Shaw also played basketball and ran track while he was a student at Stanford.