A pair of programs from the Pac-12 take the field in search of a victory as they clash up in the Pacific Northwest. The Stanford Cardinal are on the road as they make the trip up the west coast to take on the #18 Washington Huskies Saturday night. Stanford had a bye week last week: they were defeated 41-28 by #10 USC in their previous contest back on September 10. Washington remained unbeaten as they took care of business against #11 Michigan State 39-28 at home last Saturday. In the all-time series between the programs, the Huskies own a narrow 44-43-4 advantage, including a 20-13 road victory in the most recent matchup on October 30, 2021.
Stanford had a week off last week, giving them two weeks to prepare after getting taken to the woodshed by USC in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. The Cardinal now get a second straight game against a ranked foe as they try to get back over the .500 mark on the year. Against USC, Stanford found themselves down 21-7 after one quarter, 35-14 at the half and 41-14 after three quarters before narrowing the margin in garbage time. The Cardinal gave up 505 yards of total offense while recording 441, lost the time of possession 30:33 to 29:27 and committed four turnovers while failing to record a takeaway. Those numbers more than negated their 33-25 edge in first downs in the game.
On the year, the Cardinal are tied for 37th in the nation in passing offense as they average 274 yards per game through the air and 46th in rushing offense with an average of 195 yards per contest. Stanford is 59th in the FBS in scoring offense with an average of 34.5 points per game while they are 69th in scoring defense by allowing 25.5 points per contest. Tanner McKee has completed 42 of 62 passes for 528 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions on the year. Ari Patu is two of three for 20 yards plus a score plus five rushing yards. E.J. Smith leads the ground game with 30 carries for 206 yards and three scores. Casey Filkins (22 carries, 97 yards, two TD) is the second back in the system when Smith needs a breather. Smith leads the team in receptions with eight for 63 yards plus a score. Michael Wilson (seven grabs, 112 yards, two TD), John Humphries (six catches, 105 yards), Brycen Tremaine (five receptions, 72 yards) and Elijah Higgins (five catches, 66 yards) are other competent options in the passing game. Joshua Karty has hit all nine extra point attempts while not attempting a field goal this season.