Washington State provides tough test for Stanford
It's never been particularly easy to defend the Air Raid offense that Mike Leach has been running for two decades at several schools.
The version he has now at Washington State is particularly challenging and is a major reason why the 14thranked Cougars (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) are having so much success this season heading into Saturday's showdown at No. 24 Stanford (5-2, 3-1).
"What Mike Leach has done in the last three years has been undersold nationally," Cardinal coach David Shaw said. "I'm not just saying that because we're playing them this week . ... He's doing a lot of stuff to keep you off balance. It's the variety of different ways he's getting guys open."
That offense led by transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew leads the nation in passing with 400.7 yards per game and is a major reason why the Cougars have started 6-1 for a second straight season and are the only team in the Pac-12 with less than two losses.
Remaining the sole oneloss team will be tough against the Cardinal, who have undergone a bit of a transition on offense as well, out of necessity rather than choice.
Lacking the dominant offensive line that fueled a running attack the past decade with stars like Toby Gerhart, Stepfan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey and current lead back Bryce Love, Stanford has been forced to rely on quarterback K.J. Costello and the passing game.
That has led to more inconsistency than usual in the offense but the Cardinal still remain in contention for a Pac-12 title.
USC to start new QB against Arizona State
Third-string redshirt freshman quarterback Jack Sears will start for Southern California against Arizona State on Saturday.
USC coach Clay Helton announced the decision Friday.
Freshman starter J.T. Daniels spent the week in concussion protocol after getting hurt in the Trojans' loss at Utah. USC also is without sophomore Matt Fink, Daniels' primary backup, after he broke three ribs at Utah.
Sears practiced with the Trojans' first-team offense all week, but he will make his playing debut at the Coliseum against the Sun Devils (3-4, 1-3 Pac-12). He is a product of Orange County's San Clemente High School, where he followed Sam Darnold.
USC (4-3, 3-2) has won 19 consecutive home games under Helton. The Trojans are in a first-place tie with the Utes atop the Pac-12 South.
Arkansas QB Story to return at QB vs. Vanderbilt
Ty Storey waited more than three years for his chance as the starting quarterback at Arkansas, and he didn't like missing last week's win over Tulsa because of injury one bit.
The junior is healthy once again following a physical beating against Mississippi two weeks ago, and he is expected to return when Arkansas (2-6, 0-4 Southeastern Conference) hosts Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Storey's return will provide an immediate boost for the Razorbacks, who snapped a six-game losing streak a week ago in a 23-0 win over Tulsa. Arkansas is still in search of its first SEC win under first-year coach Chad Morris
— something the Razorbacks hope to pull off against the Commodores (3-5, 0-4).