3 things to watch

1

Up the middle: The Cardinal offensive line has struggled in pass protection this year, giving up a conference-worst 38 sacks. The Cougars aren’t shy about attacking if they sense weakness, so expect the linebackers to come and come hard through the center of the line, with the ends charged with keeping quarterback Tavita Pritchard from escaping.

2

Keep Brink upright: Expect the same defensive plan from the Cardinal, although the scheme may be different. Outside linebackers Pat Maynor and Clinton Snyder have combined for 11 sacks and 20 tackles for loss. As they attack from the outside, it will be imperative for whoever is playing running back to identify the right guy to block, and then execute.

3

Too big to cover?: The size of the Stanford receivers has caused teams problems, including USC. When the Cardinal needs a completion, either 6-foot-7 Evan Moore or 6-2 leaper Mark Bradford run to the marker, post up and then outjump the defensive back for the ball. The Cougars’ corners, Chima Nwachukwu and Devin Giles, are both around 6-0. They’ll have to play taller than that today.