Stanford vs. Washington: Four (Not So) Preposterous Predictions

Here are four things that probably won't (but maybe will) happen Saturday at Stanford Stadium. Vote for the least preposterous prediction and feel free to leave your own in the comments section. 

1. Washington will score 10 or fewer points. 

Why it's preposterous: The Huskies rank 46th in the country in total offense and 22nd in scoring offense (37 points per game). Led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Keith Price, who ranks fifth in the country in passing efficiency, Washington has scored at least 30 points every game this year. The last time Stanford shut out the same team in consecutive years was 1948-49. That team happened to be Washington, but 1949 was a long time ago. The Cardinal will be without starting safety Delano Howell, who injured his hand against Washington State. 

Why it could happen: The Stanford defense ranks at or near the top of almost every major statistical category in the Pac-12, but the unit still has its doubters as a result of the Cardinal's soft schedule. If the first six games of the season are any indication, the D will be up for its latest challenge. After Shayne Skov went down with a season-ending injury late in the first half of the Stanford's win at Arizona, the defense shut out Nick Foles and the nation's third-ranked passing offense in the second half. When UCLA marched to the goal line on its first drive of the game, Chase Thomas and Co. made a stand. While the Cardinal offense struggled out of the gate in Pullman, the defense held the high-powered Cougars passing game in check. Next!

2. Andrew Luck will throw for at least 450 yards. 

Why it's preposterous: Luck hasn't topped 400 yards in a game since 2009, when he threw for 423 in a loss at Arizona. He's averaged 286 yards per game this season, eclipsing 300 yards on three occasions. Todd Husak threw for a single-game school record 450 yards against Oregon State in 1998. 

Why it could happen: Washington's pass defense, which has allowed an average of more than 300 yards per game, ranks 116th among FBS teams. The Huskies allowed Eastern Washington's Bo Levi Mitchell to throw for 473 yards in the season opener -- on 69 attempts, but still -- and Cal's Zach Maynard to throw for 349 yards. I don't know much about Bo Levi Mitchell, but I do know that Luck is approximately one billion and a half times better than Zach Maynard. 

3. Stanford will win by at least 45 points.

Why it's preposterous: Stanford has defeated two teams by at least 40 points this season -- San Jose State and Colorado. The Spartans and Buffaloes are a combined 4-9 and neither team is in the same league as the Huskies. (That made literal sense last year, but no more.) By all accounts, this isn't the same Washington team that got hammered by Stanford last season. Many were surprised that Vegas made the Huskies three-touchdown dogs and Ty Hildenbrandt of the Solid Verbal picked Washington to cover as one of his locks of the week.  

Why it could happen: "Stanford's good, but they haven't played anyone." The Cardinal has heard some variation of that disclaimer all year. The Huskies, who have played their fare share of cream puffs, represent an opportunity for the Cardinal to make a statement at home. As a bonus, the game even starts at a reasonable hour on the East Coast. Expect Stanford to be especially fired up for this one. Oh, and Dan Rubenstein of the Solid Verbal picked Stanford as one of his locks of the week. 

4. Devon Carrington will account for at least two turnovers (interception, forced fumble, or fumble recovery). 

Why it's preposterous: For one, Carrington isn't even guaranteed to start. He's the most likely replacement at safety for the injured Howell, but freshman Jordan Richards is another possibility. Michael Thomas has Stanford's only interception of the season. Do you expect a guy making his fourth career start to triple that total?

Why it could happen: Carrington has 19 tackles and a pass breakup this season. He's also had a knack for being in the right place at the right time, with two fumble recoveries in six games. Expect Price and the Huskies to target the sophomore with Howell out.