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Stanford vs. Colorado: College Football Preview

The Pac-12 conference takes the national stage on Friday night as the struggling Stanford Cardinal (1-4, 2-3 ATS, 0-3 Pac-12) travel to face the formidable Colorado Buffaloes (4-2, 3-2-1 ATS, 1-2 Pac-12). Stanford had a week off to regroup after a dismal 42-6 defeat at the hands of the #9 Oregon Ducks, a game where they were massive 27-point underdogs. In contrast, Colorado is riding high after a hard-fought 27-24 road victory against Arizona State, where they were 3-point favorites. Colorado is currently favored by 10.5 points in this matchup, with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 PM EST at Folsom Field in Boulder, televised on ESPN.

Crucial Matchup Analysis

Stanford's Struggles and Uncertainty at Quarterback

Stanford's final season in the Pac-12 hasn't gone as planned, as they are yet to secure a conference win. They endured heavy losses against USC and Oregon and narrowly missed victory against Arizona. In their recent clash with the Ducks, Stanford managed just 222 yards of offense compared to Oregon's 506 yards. The quarterback situation adds to their uncertainty, with Ashton Daniels questionable after a hard hit in the Oregon game, likely leading to another start for Justin Lamson. Lamson, a 6'2 sophomore, has struggled, completing only 49.2% of his passes without a touchdown on 61 attempts.

Stanford's offensive struggles are evident as they rank 10th out of 12 teams in the Pac-12 in scoring, averaging a mere 19.2 points per game. Defensively, they find themselves at the bottom, allowing 34.6 points per game. Linebacker Gaethan Bernadel leads the team in tackles with 29, while David Bailey has been a pass-rushing force with four sacks. Stanford's defense has managed just two takeaways all season, both interceptions.

Colorado's Offensive Prowess and Defensive Takeaways

Colorado, on the other hand, has showcased offensive firepower this season. Shedeur Sanders, their star quarterback, has thrown for a remarkable 2,020 yards in six games, more than any other quarterback in the nation. Sanders boasts impressive statistics, with a 72.7% completion rate and 16 touchdown passes against only two interceptions. In stark contrast, Stanford's offense has scored just nine touchdowns throughout the year.

While Colorado's star player, Travis Hunter, is questionable for this game due to a lacerated liver, they still have potent offensive weapons. Xavier Weaver, a 6'1 senior, leads the receiving corps with 43 catches, two touchdowns, and an average of 84.5 yards per game. Jimmy Horn Jr. is another valuable receiving option with four touchdowns and an average of 62.7 yards per game. In the backfield, Dylan Edwards and Anthony Hankerson share carries and have nearly identical stats.

Defensive Battle and Injury Concerns

Defensively, both teams face challenges. Colorado is sixth in the conference, averaging 33.0 points per game, but they are second to last in defense, allowing 34.2 points per game. Shilo Sanders leads the team in tackles with 32 from the safety position, and the defense has produced 14 sacks distributed among 11 different players. Colorado's defense has also been efficient at forcing turnovers, with 12 takeaways, including eight interceptions, three of which belong to safety Cam'Ron Silmon-Craig.

As for injuries, Stanford is concerned about the availability of key players like quarterback Ashton Daniels and wide receiver John Humphreys. Colorado's Travis Hunter, who contributes both as a cornerback and wide receiver, is also questionable for this game, along with cornerbacks Kyndrich Breedlove and Carter Stoutmire.

Prediction