What to know before Stanford kicks off against Pitt

PITTSBURGH AT STANFORD

Records: Stanford (3-5, 2-3 ACC); Pittsburgh (6-2,4-1 ACC)

Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. at Stanford Stadium

TV: ACC Network

Radio: KNBR 1050 AM

Series history: Tied 2-2. Pitt won 16-7 at Stanford Stadium in 1922. Stanford won in the 1928 Rose Bowl (its first bowl win) and the 2018 Sun Bowl (its most recent bowl appearance).

Stanford storylines: Stanford is in the bottom 10 in the country in scoring offense, though it does much better at home (80 points in three wins) than on the road (60 points in five losses). Some of that has to do with the strength of its opponents – the Cardinal has faced three losing teams at home and three AP Top 15 teams on the road. So this will be a test to see if Stanford’s 3-0 home record is due to home-field advantage or a quirk of the schedule.

Pittsburgh storylines: After a 2-2 start, the Panthers have caught fire since freshman QB Mason Heintschel became a starter, with four wins by a combined 80 points. Since Week 6, Heintschel ranks second nationally in passing yards (1,210) and first in the ACC in yards, touchdowns, and QB rating. … After Saturday, the Panthers close against AP Top 12 teams Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and Miami.

Stats that matter: The Cardinal’s defense is top-50 in the country in rush defense, allowing just 127.5 yards per game on the ground, good for ninth in the ACC. That is on pace to be Stanford’s best rushing defense since 2014 (104.5 yards per game). … Pitt’s defense is forcing its opponents’ offense into 3-and-outs on 30.9 percent of defensive drives this season, most in the ACC and 11th most in the FBS. … Stanford’s defense ranks 14th in opponents’ red zone touchdown percentage (46.3%).

— HAROLD GUTMANN