No. 13 Stanford looks to avenge loss vs. San Diego State

Published

San Diego State (10-3 last season) at No. 13 Stanford (9-5), Friday, 9 p.m. ET (FS1)

Line: Stanford by 14½.

Series record: Stanford leads 3-2.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

The Cardinal look to avenge an early season road loss against the Aztecs a year ago and get ready for next week's conference opener against No. 15 USC. San Diego State comes into year as a leading contender in the Mountain West and gets its first of two shots against Power Five teams with a home game against Arizona State in two weeks.

KEY MATCHUP

San Diego State run D vs Bryce Love. The Aztecs have been one of the stoutest run defenses in recent years, ranking third nationally since 2015 by allowing 116.3 yards rushing per game. They face a tough opening test against Love, who led all Power Five running backs last year in yards rushing (2,118) and yards per carry (8.1).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Diego State: RB Juwan Washington. The Aztecs have had two of the most productive backs the past two seasons with Donnel Pumphrey and Rashaad Penny, who each topped 2,000 yards. Washington rushed for 759 yards as a reserve last season, averaging 6.0 ypc and scoring seven TDs.

Stanford: QB K.J. Costello. Costello took over as starter midway through last season. He led the Cardinal to a win over Washington, threw four TD passes against Notre Dame and two more in the Pac-12 title game against Southern California.

FACTS & FIGURES

San Diego State won last year's meeting at home 20-17. ... San Diego State has three straight wins vs. Pac-12 teams. ... The Aztecs have won 23 straight games when winning the turnover battle. They lead the nation with a plus-43 turnover margin the past three years. ... San Diego State has lost its last 11 season openers played on the road since winning at Colorado State in 1981. ... Stanford has won 19 straight home games against nonconference teams. ... Cardinal WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside has 14 career TD catches, two shy of reaching the top 10 in school history. ... Stanford's offense brings back players who scored 435 of 453 points last season.