Scott Hanson

The Seattle Times

Washington State (6-1, 3-1 Pac-12) at Stanford (5-2, 3-1)

When: Saturday, Oct. 27, 4 p.m.

Where: Stanford Stadium

TV/Radio: Pac-12 Networks/710 AM

Line: Stanford by 3

WSU players to watch

QB Gardner Minshew — 254 of 364, 2,745 yds., 23 TDs, 6 INTs

WR Tay Martin — 46 rec., 465 yds., 6 TDs

RB James Williams — 313 yds. rush, 325 yds. rec., 9 TDs

LB Peyton Pelluer — 54 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss

Stanford players to watch

QB K.J. Costello — 136 of 211, 1,842 yds., 13 TD, 6 INT

RB Bryce Love — 87 carries, 348 yds., 3 TDs

WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside — 37 rec., 632 yds., 9 TDs

Keys to the game

Maintain intensity

That was a huge game last week for Washington State, and the Cougars responded with a great 34-20 home win over then-No. 12 Oregon. The Cougars cannot afford any letdown against a very good Stanford team, which not only got an extra couple of days rest having played Thursday the week before, but will also have the crowd on its side. Last week, all the intangibles favored WSU over Oregon (the Ducks were coming off a huge game, the Cougars had extra rest and a frenzied home crowd). This week, the intangibles are on No. 24 Stanford’s side and anything less than WSU’s best effort won’t be enough.

Avoid turnovers

Washington State defeated Oregon despite losing the turnover battle, 2-0. It will be very difficult for 14th-ranked WSU to win Saturday if it loses that battle again. Cougar quarterback Gardner Minshew threw two interceptions last week after throwing one total in the previous four games. He will need to be productive, and avoid mistakes.

Force Stanford to throw

The Cardinal have long been a great running team, but it has passed much more this year, in part because the running game has been ineffective. Stanford running back Bryce Love, last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up, has battled injuries all season, but returned to play in the team’s win over Arizona State on Oct. 18. The Cougars need to stop him and the other Stanford runners, and make quarterback K.J. Costello beat them.

Prediction

Think the Cougars might be the better team, but this game sets up very well for Stanford, as stated before. Huge props to Washington State if it can pull it off, but …

Stanford 28, Washington State 27