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First look: Stanford at Washington State

Stanford running back Bryce Love (20) runs for a touchdown past Arizona State defensive back Chad Adams (21) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

What is it? No. 20 Stanford (6-2, 5-1) travels to the Palouse to face No. 25 Washington State (7-2, 4-2) on Senior Day and Dad’s Weekend for the Cougars.

Where is it? Martin Stadium in Pullman.

When is it? Saturday at 12:30 p.m. PDT.

Where can I watch it? FOX will have the live broadcast.

Who is favored? The Cougars are favored to win by 2.5 points.

Why Stanford will win: Running back Bryce Love sat out in Stanford’s game against Oregon State because of an ankle injury, but still came out of the weekend as the country’s leading rusher. Love has amassed, 1,387 yards on the ground this season and has recorded less than 150 yards in only one game this season. The Cardinal offense will be able to put points on the board if he’s healthy and the defense has given up just 41 points in its last three Pac-12 games after conceding 58 in its first two.

Why WSU will win: Stanford faces a tall task if Love isn’t cleared to play in this game. Last Thursday against Pac-12 bottom-dweller Oregon State, the Cardinal were helpless without their Hesiman-candidate tailback, accumulating just 222 yards of total offense and only 81 on the ground. If Love does play, the Cougars certainly shouldn’t count themselves out. The Pac-12’s other 1,000-yard rushers are Oregon’s Royce Freeman and Colorado’s Phillip Lindsay. Those two combined for just 160 yards and neither scored a touchdown.

What happened last time? The Cougars kept talented Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey from breaking out and held McCaffrey to just 83 all-purpose yards in a 42-16 win on The Farm last season. Tavares Martin Jr. caught two early touchdown passes, but River Cracraft led the Cougars in receiving, hauling in seven passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. Luke Falk finished 30-of-41 passing for 357 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.