Even though they’re on the road, Washington is heavy favorites to beat Stanford this Saturday. Vegas has them as a 14.5-point favorite, and a Cardinal win would be an upset to say the least.
The Huskies are favorites for good reason. They are 4-1 this year, and their transfer quarterback Jacob Eason has been getting better and better every game. He could present big problems for Stanford’s pass defense, which is one of the worst in the PAC-12. Stanford’s rush defense will also be challenged, as the Huskies have a very balanced offensive attack. Their running back, Salvon Ahmed, ran for 153 yards versus USC last week.
Stanford will undoubtedly need to be more successful on offense if they want to have a chance in this game. The Washington offense is averaging almost 40 points per game, so the Cardinal offense will need to click. Davis Mills will need to play extremely well against the playmaking Huskies secondary, who have seven picks on the year. Avoiding turnovers will be key for the Cardinal if they want to keep it close, but it’ll be hard to pass on Washington’s strong secondary.
In Washington’s lone loss, Cal ran for 192 yards. If Stanford can run the ball effectively, I think they could upset the Huskies. However, Stanford has not come close to collectively rushing the ball for 200 yards in a game yet. The Huskies front seven is typically a solid group, so I doubt Stanford is able to find anymore success on the ground.
Washington is good. They just controlled a USC team that handily beat us. I don’t see the Cardinal winning this game, and I don’t see it being super close.
I predict Washington to win 35-14.
Comments
Anything is possible, but...
Can’t imagine why anyone would expect an upset. UW seems to be getting on track after the stunning loss to Cal. Stanford has the mirror image trajectory, having won the opener and looking pretty mediocre since. Yeah, they got a win against Oregon State, but gave up a 21-0 lead and had to kick the game winner at the literal last second. I love Stanford, but they haven’t shown any sign that they can be a good football team.
By g8tgod on 10.03.19 8:25am
When Was The Last Time Stanford Was A More Than Two Touchdown Underdog At Home?!
Ouch! Having said that, it seems all too reasonable. It "felt" good to win at OSU, but it was not really an impressive performance – particularly on D after a strong start.
I think 35 – 14 is about right. At least no one will see the game!
A silver lining here is that Davis Mills will get some more live gametime experience. He has looked pretty solid and, if he is next year’s QB, nice to have some real game reps. Could/would Costello come back next year? He is not having the kind of year that is helping him in the NFL draft.
By hoyaparanoia on 10.03.19 8:37am
Ask and you shall receive...
https://twitter.com/CardinalVassar/status/1179851755351412736
By Matt Vassar on 10.03.19 1:25pm
Here's the irrationally optimistic spin, though...
https://twitter.com/CardinalVassar/status/1179879627524890625
By Matt Vassar on 10.03.19 3:04pm
Nice resume
KJ already has a nice resume having played since the 2017 season. Just needs to get healthy… Would be nice to see him play again before seasons end but coming back to Stanford next year does not make sense imo…
By Slot_Man22 on 10.03.19 11:07pm
Agree with the prediction
Washington and Stanford are in two very different places right now … 35-14 seems pretty much about right.
By Brendan Ross on 10.03.19 11:38am
Two different places right now, huh?
I agree they are in two different places right now:
Winner >> The Cardinal
Try again next week>>The Huskies
By Slot_Man22 on 10.05.19 11:06pm
Washington will sit on us for 4 quarters
They are the more talented and extremely well coached team. They will just take a lead and comfortably sit on it by letting their defense do its thing.
The only way we make it closer than expected is by coming out with a fast start. Let Davis sling it and then open it up for the run game.
And as usual for the defense it’s turnovers. This defense is just not talented nor disciplined enough to control the game.
It’s the pac-12. Anything can happen. No one expected wazzu to spectacularly collapse against UCLA. So I’m rooting for #TeamChaos
By layman on 10.03.19 11:50am
more talented and extremely well coached team?
All that talent and all that superior coaching and still only 13 points! Hahaha
By Slot_Man22 on 10.05.19 11:07pm
Hey #TeamChaos struck
By layman on 10.06.19 2:49am
C'mon, no one is picking Stanford for a huge upset?
Well, I’m not either. 35-14 sounds reasonable. If anything Cal’s victory over Washington makes me more concerned about Cal beating Stanford this year than thinking they can turn the program around with an important win at home this week.
By worldblee on 10.03.19 1:17pm
Washington is a good team, but...
…they can still be beaten, for several reasons.
1. They play much better at home than away from Seattle. I know, you’re thinking but what about BYU. Well, it turns out that BYU isn’t all that good, despite beating USC.
2. Stanford has already faced a better QB in Herbert, who did not score 35 points against them.
3. Washington has a massive offensive line, but Stanford knows that and will presumably adjust with more blitzes and more defensive players closer to the line of scrimmage.
4. Mills is getting better every game. Against USC, he was unable to put air under his long balls. He now does that. Against USC, he refused to run. No longer. He’s not playing at Eason’s level yet, but he’s getting there.
5. Stanford’s freshmen can be expected to improve every game. That translates to better safety play and more consistent OL play, two things the team has lacked so far.
6. Adebo has something to prove. He was torched by OSU. Don’t expect that to happen again.
7. Cal beat the Huskies in Seattle. Let’s repeat that, Cal beat Washington. Sure they have a very good defense and until last week had a good QB, but they certainly showed that Washington can be stopped.
8. David Shaw is adjusting. And that really is something. No one (and don’t pretend you did) could have anticipated a pass from the tight end to the quarterback.
9. UCF, USC, and even OSU had better receivers than Washington. So as good as Eason is, his receivers may not be as open as we’ve seen so far this year. Stanford did yield too many open throws across the middle to OSU, but, again, expect the Cards to adjust.
10. Stanford is due to play a good game. We haven’t seen it yet.
So, yes, someone is picking Stanford for an upset.
By SU74 on 10.03.19 1:26pm
Sure can't argue with the point you make in #9
Wide receivers are small and don’t do well against man coverage.
But the two tight ends are both good and Hunter Bryant is elite.
Stanford is never an easy place for UW to get a win.
By Phil can't buy a Natty on 10.03.19 7:05pm
6. Adebo got torched against UCF also. I don’t recall how he personally did against USC.
By LerghMcblergh on 10.05.19 4:36pm
Washington will win this one easily if....
(and ONLY if ) Davis Mills has a bad game lol!! The chances of that happening are slim. I know I know but seriously I can’t keep this up week after week… I’m going to need more of you to hop onboard the DMills hype train! Many of you quickly disregarded his win and performance against OS, so I hope this is the game where you finally begin to see the light!
On Saturday we can expect a solid performance from Mills, but in order to win this game (aside from more aggressive Offensive playcalling)
the Cardinal will simply need to make plays on DEFENSE!! Get at Eason! Eason is not a great runner so if we can disrupt his timing, get him out of the pocket and force him to run it will pay dividends. Our defense held their own against Oregon and shut out OS thru 3 full quarters. We can and will defeat Washington!!
Get your popcorn ready fellas! The Cardinal is back!! The Cardinal is Back! #35-21Stanford
By Slot_Man22 on 10.03.19 3:27pm
Mills
He certainly looked better against OSU than he did against USC, but his most impressive play was the catch from Parkinson. I hope you’re right that he’s a world beater. We need one.
By brandtjl1 on 10.04.19 9:31am
I'm on board
I started believing in the OSU game. Last night was icing on the cake. What a great performance by Mills, Scarlett and the entire team. They played the way I thought they could from start of season. Those freshmen are growing up fast. I hope Shaw in future will give his frosh a chance to play, if they can meet some strength/weight/conditioning criteria.
By jafco99 on 10.06.19 9:24am
Hard to be optimistic
The collapse of the Stanford defense in the second half at OSU was as bad as a Stanford defense has played in years. It was, to put it mildly, pathetic. NO PASS RUSH AT ALL, poor coverage by linebackers and no clue by the helpless defensive backs. No interceptions or a sniff of a turnover since the Northwestern game. The defense couldn’t even stop the OSU run game with a second-string running back. The biggest problem is no pass rush and I don’t see that changing against the offensive line of the Huskies. Their QB will pick us apart. Davis Mills doesn’t play defense. We are in a world of hurt this Saturday.
By gaffman on 10.03.19 5:13pm
We shut out OSU for 3 quarters
Our defense deserves credit but yeah…
It’s possible that we relaxed a bit thinking OS would quit..unfortunately they did not. OS found rhythm in the 4th and gave it all they had… Make no mistake…OS’s QB is pretty darn good!! He looks just as good as Herbert and Eason imo! Anyway, w/a healthy Mills leading the O and a solid effort from our D this game is ours to take! #GoCardinal #UpsetCity
By Slot_Man22 on 10.03.19 7:54pm
Having Thought About It
Washington 41 Stanford 21. I think we give up more points but get a few more as well.
By hoyaparanoia on 10.03.19 9:26pm
Cmon Hoya!
Hop on board before we leave the station! Is the score above assuming Mills has a good or bad game??
By Slot_Man22 on 10.03.19 10:57pm
I Think Mills Will Have A Good Game.....Initially
My concern is that we may see a repeat of the USC game where we get down by a couple of scores and we abandon our balanced attack. Knowing we are going to pass, Washington rushes the QB aggresively and mistakes happen. Not really a Davis Mills issue.
By hoyaparanoia on 10.04.19 4:53pm
That's cool Hoya!
Sounds like you’ve got at least one foot in on the hype train!
By Slot_Man22 on 10.04.19 9:55pm
I'm going 31-17 Dawgs
Of course, hope springs eternal, and upsets can always happen (read: Stanford vs. USC in 2007). That said, for an upset, something dramatic would have to happen. Three defensive takeaways by the Cardinal, two for TDs. Davis Mills playing absolutely out of his skin. Cameron Scarlett taking advantage of the aerial assault and rushing for 200 yards. Casey Toohill getting 7 sacks. All possible, just not likely.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 10.04.19 1:57pm
Washington is good but
We may be giving them too much credit. Go back and watch their game against USC. USCs 3rd string QB through 2 or 3 critical back breaking intereptions…. He did not play well. The final score was only 28-14 not dominant imo…
By Slot_Man22 on 10.04.19 10:05pm