(Notre Dame) — Marcus Freeman noted that Saturday’s win over Syracuse featured the fewest number of missed assignments for his Notre Dame football team this season.

He’s still not satisfied.

“We weren’t 100 percent, and that’s the mindset we have to have,” stated the Irish head coach at his weekly press conference Monday. “That’s what reaching full potential is…being perfect.  If you reach your full potential, you’re at 100 percent. Eleven guys are graded every play and the outcome can’t make you think you did your job if you didn’t.”

Notre Dame gets another opportunity for that when it faces 4-7 Stanford Saturday night in Palo Alto.

“The thing that sticks out to me about Stanford is they’re 4-1 at home,” says Freeman. “They have played really well at home.”

It’s another must-win game for the Irish, who have won nine straight to put themselves in contention for the College Football Playoff.

“You start thinking about the big picture and an uncertain future, that’s added pressure you don’t need,” states Freeman. “This  game Saturday is the Super Bowl. It can’t be lip service. Your actions have to follow that. If our actions do follow that, I’m confident in being prepared for the opportunity Saturday.

Notre Dame will be without starting linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (knee) and safety Tae Johnson (hand).  Viliamu-Asa is out for the season after injuring his left knee in Saturday’s win over Syracuse.  Madden Faurimo will take his spot.

“He’s an ascending player,” Freeman said of the freshman Faurimo. “He’s preparing in a really positive way. Madden learned how to prepare in a similar way that Kyng did.”

It’s a 10:30 pm ET kickoff Saturday night, Notre Dame’s latest kickoff since a game with Hawaii in 1991. Freeman says the Irish can;t be worried about that.

“It starts with the mental approach,” said Freeman who is looking to guide his team to consecutive playoff appearances.  “We have to make 7:30 Pacific time Notre Dame time.”