PLAYERS TO WATCH
–RB Bryce Love has been away from the limelight this season. That’s because Love is slowly working his way back from an ankle injury. He had 11 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown against Oregon State, but now faces a Cal rush defense that held USC to less than 3 yards per carry. Stanford will need Love to set the tone, scrap for extra yards, and break a big play or two to give quarterback K.J. Costello and his receivers proper balance. Love had 14 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown against Cal a year ago in a 17-14 win at Stanford Stadium.
–TE Colby Parkinson was superb against Oregon State, with six catches for 166 yards and four touchdowns. If senior wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside is out injured again, Parkinson has the burden (or perhaps the gift) of being Stanford’s premier target. Linebacker play has been the biggest plus for Cal’s defense this season, so the presence of Parkinson will make their focus and usage a key to the game.
–S Frank Buncom nabbed an interception against Oregon State. And Buncom and the secondary (including fellow safety Malik Antoine and cornerbacks Paulson Adebo and Alijah Holder) must try and frustrate Cal redshirt quarterback Chase Garbers. Garbers and the Golden Bears’ offense have found (enough) success by playing conservatively and letting the defense carry the load. If Buncom or one of his comrades can force a turnover, that could be the narrative of this game.
–QB K.J. Costello has been productive all season, and is the first Stanford quarterback since Andrew Luck to throw for four touchdowns in a game three times in one year. He was 23 of 33 for 342 yards, four touchdowns and one interception against the Beavers. Costello has 23 touchdowns to 10 interceptions this season, and he’ll need to be wary of ball-hawking linebacker Evan Weaver and cornerback Camryn Bynum (both NFL prospects).
SERIES HISTORY: Stanford leads the series 58-43-10 and has won eight consecutive matchups (every game since 2010). This is the longest win streak for either team in this series.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It was great to see us put together a full game go out and win for the seniors.” — Stanford tight end Colby Parkinson, on trouncing Oregon State 48-17 on senior day at Stanford Stadium.
