Stanford-Washington matchup loses steam
Season hasn’t gone according to early expectations
Stanford-Washington was supposed to decide the Pac-12 North. Instead, both teams are unranked and one game behind division leader Washington State in the loss column heading into their matchup today in Seattle.
Stanford (5-3, 3-2) lost three of its last four games, including two straight at home, while Washington (63, 4-2) has lost two of three after a setback at Cal last week.
“I think what people see this week is two very good football teams that haven’t quite had the season that they wanted, but this should be an exciting game,” Cardinal coach David Shaw said.
Here are three things that will determine which team maintains a slim hope of winning the division title, and which team furthers its slide: NEW OFFENSE? >> Despite a 41-38 loss, Stanford had its best offensive game of the season last Saturday against Washington State, and the Cardinal did it mostly by relying on the pass.
K.J. Costello had 34 completions — the most for a Stanford QB in 24 years — on 43 attempts, with 323 yards and four TDs. JJ Arcega-Whiteside had 10 catches for 111 yards and two scores (his 11 touchdowns are second nationally), junior tight end Kaden Smith had a careerbest nine receptions for 112 yards, and senior Trenton Irwin had a career-best eight catches for 80 yards.
With a banged-up running back corps (including star Bryce Love, who has been battling an ankle injury had only six carries against Washington State) and an offensive line that is much better at pass protection than
run blocking, the Cardinal is second in the Pac-12 in pass offense and second-to-last in rush offense.
That might be surprising enough for a team that usually has a run-first approach, but the Cardinal threw in another wrinkle against the Cougars by hurrying to the line early in the play clock. That allowed Costello and the linemen to recognize coverages and switch to more effective plays if necessary. WASHINGTON’S DEFENSE >> Having success against the Cougars at Stanford Stadium is one thing. Doing it against the Huskies in Seattle will be more challenging.
“Different environment,” Shaw said. “It’s going to be rainy, it’s going to be a little cold, it’s going to be loud.”
Washington is also first in the Pac-12 in scoring defense (15.2) and second in total defense, rush defense and pass defense. The linchpin is linebacker Ben Burr-Kervin of Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton. He is second in the nation with 13.6 tackles per game. Even in the upset loss to Cal, the Huskies’ allowed only two field goals (the other Bears score came on an interception return). Part of that
success has been the lack of big plays by opponents. Washington’s defense has allowed only five plays of 30 or more yards and one play of 40-plus yards, leading the nation in both categories. HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE >> Pac-12 teams are only 1715 (.531) at home in conference play, but the Huskies are 2-0 in Pac-12 games and 4-0 overall at Husky Stadium, with wins against Colorado, Arizona State, and 35-7 over then-No. 20 BYU.
“It’s one of the few places I’ve been where it’s not just loud in your ears, you feel the noise in your body,” Shaw said. “You feel your chest shake when it gets really loud, which is awesome. You can’t hear anything, there’s energy, there’s passion, and it should be a lot of fun.”
Washington beat Stanford 44-6 in the Cardinal’s last visit in 2016. The Cardinal has been in two tough road environments this season — it fell behind 24-7 at halftime against Oregon before coming back to win, and it lost 38-17 at Notre Dame.
• Stanford is 42-42-4 alltime against Washington. … The Cardinal is 5-0 when forcing at least one turnover and 0-3 when not forcing a turnover. … The Huskies were ranked in 41 straight AP Top 25 polls before this week.