Washington (8-1, 5-1) at Stanford (6-3, 5-2)
When: Friday, November 10th 2017
Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA
Time: 10:30 ET | TV: FOX Sports 1
Opening Odds: Washington -5.5/47
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The Washington Huskies know there is no room for error if they want to get back to the College Football Playoffs and they will have a chance to make a statement on the road against the Stanford Cardinal on Friday night. The Huskies are ranked ninth in the CFP rankings and lead the Pac-12 North Division by a half-game over both Washington State and Stanford. Washington boasts the nation’s top-ranked defense (240.9 yards per game), is second in points allowed (11.1), and sits sixth in rushing defense (91.1) as it attempts to slow down Heisman Trophy-candidate Bryce Love. The junior has rushed for 1,456 yards – second nationally behind San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny (1,602) – and has recorded 11 runs of 50 or more yards this season. Stanford’s slim playoff chances ended last week in a 24-21 setback at Washington State. Speaking of big plays, Washington has their own playmaker in senior punt returner Dante Pettis, who has four return touchdowns this season and an NCAA-record nine during his career. Washington posted a 44-6 victory over Stanford last season for only its third win in the past 12 meetings.
The Huskies have a pretty good running back of their own in junior Myles Gaskin, who has 918 yards and 10 scores on the season, while topping 100 yards in four of the past six games and is on pace to top 1,300 rushing yards for the third straight season. Gaskin’s 34 career rushing touchdowns is tied for second in school history with Napoleon Kaufman (1991-94). Quarterback Jake Browning is tied with Keith Price (2010-13) for the school record of 75 touchdown passes, with 16 of them coming this season against just five interceptions. The stout defense is led by junior inside linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven, who has recorded a team-leading 59 tackles while senior Keishawn Bierria matched the school record of eight career fumble recoveries. Should the Huskies pass this test in Palo Alto, they can finish the season with victories over Utah and Washington State before playing in the Pac-12 Title game against likely USC.
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Love’s Heisman run took a hit last week when he was held to a season-low 69 yards in a loss to Washington State but still managed a 52-yard scoring run to keep his streak alive of having at least one 50-yard gain in each game this season. Redshirt freshman quarterback K.J. Costello is making his second career start and hopes to rebound from a poor outing in Pullman last week where he was 9-for-20 for 105 yards and one interception. The defense has improved over the last month after allowing over 20 points in five straight games. They have allowed just 45 total over the last three games and features two studs in junior strong safety Justin Reid (tied for second nationally with five interceptions) and senior defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (team-best 68 tackles and five sacks). Stanford closes the season with three home games including tonight and will get Cal and Notre Dame next.
SATURDAY’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL FREE PICKS
This is a perfect revenge situation for Stanford after getting embarrassed in Seattle last year. With a game under his belt and better weather conditions, Costello should be more comfortable. If anyone can cut through this Huskies defense, it’s Love. Look for a low-scoring game with the Cardinal keeping it close enough for the cover.
Pick: Stanford +6
TRENDS:
- Huskies are 5-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Huskies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 conference games.
- Huskies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Friday games.
- Huskies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Huskies are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
- Huskies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Huskies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Huskies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Huskies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in November.
- Huskies are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Cardinal are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games following a straight up loss.
- Cardinal are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Cardinal are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Friday games.
- Cardinal are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Cardinal are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Cardinal are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games.
- Cardinal are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
- Cardinal are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
- Cardinal are 2-6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
- Cardinal are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
- Cardinal are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 5-0-1 in Huskies last 6 road games.
- Under is 5-0 in Huskies last 5 games following a straight up win.
- Under is 5-0 in Huskies last 5 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Huskies last 4 games in November.
- Under is 4-0 in Huskies last 4 games following a ATS win.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Huskies last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
- Under is 8-1 in Huskies last 9 games on grass.
- Under is 8-1-1 in Huskies last 10 conference games.
- Under is 5-1 in Huskies last 6 games overall.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Huskies last 7 games after accumulating more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Huskies last 5 games after allowing less than 20 points in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Huskies last 5 games after allowing less than 170 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1 in Huskies last 5 games after accumulating more than 450 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 6-2-1 in Huskies last 9 Friday games.
- Under is 6-2-1 in Huskies last 9 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 5-2 in Huskies last 7 games after allowing more than 200 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Under is 5-0 in Cardinal last 5 games overall.
- Over is 5-0 in Cardinal last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
- Under is 5-0 in Cardinal last 5 conference games.
- Under is 4-1 in Cardinal last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 7-2 in Cardinal last 9 games after allowing more than 280 yards passing in their previous game.
- Under is 37-15 in Cardinal last 52 games after accumulating less than 100 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Under is 53-23-1 in Cardinal last 77 games following a ATS loss.
- Under is 35-16-1 in Cardinal last 52 games after accumulating less than 275 total yards in their previous game.
- Under is 48-23-1 in Cardinal last 72 games following a straight up loss.
- Home team is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
- Huskies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
- Under is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
