Stanford Cardinal tight end Kaden Smith (82) pulls down a deflected pass during the regular season game between the California Golden Bears and Stanford Cardinals on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, CA (Photo by Douglas Stringer/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

PALO ALTO–The Stanford Cardinal who got that narrow win over the Cal Bears last Saturday at Stanford Stadium 17-14 not only did it guarantee them they would be in a bowl game it enhanced the opportunity after getting that large win over the Washington Huskies on Fri Nov 10th 30-22. They would win the North Pac 12 title. The game with Notre Dame this Saturday at Stanford Stadium can be one that get the Cardinal in the playoffs.

The Cardinal defense during the game chewed up a lot of the clock and the Bears played a terrific game these are great games when they’re close like that when a field goal was the difference that’s how close it was. Cal’s head coach Justin Wilcox has done a tremendous job getting the Bears rebuilt and getting that team together.

Jerry Feitelberg covers Stanford football for http://www.sportsradioservice.com