[tps_title]Stanford at Washington State[/tps_title]
[tps_header]7:30 p.m., ESPN[/tps_header]
STANFORD (6-1, 5-0) AT
WASHINGTON STATE (5-2, 3-1)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
Pointspread: Stanford favored by 10 points/h4>
— The line has shifted a bit after Stanford opened as 12.5-point favorites.
— The eighth-ranked Cardinal can build an almost insurmountable lead over the second-place Cougars in the Pac-12 North with an eighth straight win in the series Saturday night.
— After a tight win over then-No. 6 Southern California on Sept. 19, Stanford has rolled to four more Pac-12 victories by an average of 23.5 points. Washington State stands in the way and could make things interesting with a fourth straight conference victory.
— The Cougars have a high-octane passing attack that has produced at least 45 points in wins over Oregon, Oregon State and Arizona. The Cougars have attempted 75, 52 and 62 passes in their three conference wins, most thrown by Luke Falk – who leads the nation in attempts (387), completions (282) and completion percentage (72.9) while topping the Pac-12 in yards (2,885), yards per game (412.1) and touchdowns (26).
— Falk has hooked up with Gabe Marks 57 times for 717 yards and 10 touchdowns. But the first big test for Washington State’s passing offense comes against the conference’s top defense. Stanford leads the Pac-12 with 339.3 total yards allowed per game, 204.7 of which have come through the air.
— The Cardinal have allowed 15.1 points while averaging 41.7 in seven straight wins in the series, with the last Washington State victory coming Nov. 10, 2007.
— The Cardinal lean on the all-around game of running back Christian McCaffrey, who ran for 109 yards and caught five passes for 112 during a 31-14 win over Washington last week. After opening with 124 rushing yards in his first two games, McCaffrey has amassed more than 100 in each of the last five.
— Stanford might get a boost on defense if senior outside linebacker Kevin Anderson is able to return from an unspecified injury that has kept him out five games. Anderson, who had 32 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks and a fumble recovery during his junior season, joined Blake Martinez as the two returning starters on defense.
Stanford is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Stanford is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Stanford’s last 5 games
Stanford is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Washington State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Washington State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington State’s last 6 games
Washington State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games at home
My pick: Stanford will win and cover
Steve Rivera’s pick: Stanford will win and cover
Anthony Gimino’s pick: Stanford will win and cover
[tps_footer]
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He has also written articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.[/tps_footer]
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