RICE VS. STANFORD
RECORDS: Stanford 8-3, Rice 3-8
KICKOFF: 5 p.m. at Stanford Stadium
TV/RADIO: Pac-12 Networks/1050 AM
SERIES HISTORY: Rice leads 3-1. This is the first meeting since 1964.
STORYLINES: Stanford takes aim at its fifth-consecutive victory in what could be the final home game for junior tailback Christian McCaffrey … McCaffrey is not a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy but could climb into the top tier – and snare an invitation to the ceremony in New York City — with a big finish … Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Solomon Thomas is also eligible for the NFL Draft and considered a potential first-round pick. He declined to discuss his plans for next season when approached earlier this week … Rice lost six consecutive games to start the season but has won three of its past five … Stanford is favored by 36 points … Because it’s a non-conference game, the outcome has no bearing on Stanford’s position in the Pac-12 bowl selection order.
STANFORD INJURY UPDATE: CB Alijah Holder and LB Mike Tyler are out. OT Casey Tucker is doubtful. S Zach Hoffpauir and TE Greg Taboada are questionable. G Brandon Fanaika is probable. All injuries but Holder’s (shoulder) are undisclosed.
STATS THAT MATTER: Stanford has won 15 consecutive non-conference home games. (Last loss: To Notre Dame in the final game of the 2007 season.) … McCaffrey leads the nation in all-purpose yards (205.6 per game) … Rice is No. 123 in the nation in total defense, yielding more than 500 per game. The Owls are last (128th) in yards allowed per play: a whopping 7.32 … The Cardinal is 19th nationally in red zone defense.
STANFORD WINS IF: It shows up. The disparity in talent is such that the Cardinal would win handily even if it committed an unusually high number of turnovers and penalties. Rice’s best win this season is over Charlotte (4-7), and it was beaten decisively by the only Power Five conference opponent on its schedule (Baylor). Expect McCaffrey and other starters to spend the fourth quarter cheering from the sideline.
STANFORD LOSES IF: The world turns on its axis.
