Stanford-Oregon State: What to know before kickoff at Stanford Stadium
OREGON STATE AT STANFORD
Records: Stanford (1-3, 0-3 Pac-12); Oregon State (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12)
Kickoff: 8 p.m., Stanford Stadium
Television: ESPN
Radio: KNBR 1050 AM
Series history: Stanford leads 59-26-3, its second-most wins over any opponent (65 vs. Cal). Oregon State snapped an 11-game losing streak in the series with a 35-14 win last year in Corvallis.
Storylines: Both teams are winless in conference play but have played all those games against ranked opponents. Oregon State at least has wins over Fresno State and Boise State, while Stanford hasn’t beaten an FBS team in more than a year (10 straight), the longest streak in the country. With ranked teams Utah, UCLA and BYU coming up, and a trip to Notre Dame next weekend, Stanford needs to beat Oregon State at home to have any realistic hope of turning its season around. Stanford has lost nine straight conference games, tied for the longest streak in school history.
Injuries: Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford’s top corner, will miss Saturday’s game with an undisclosed injury. Right tackle Myles Hinton and his backup, Barrett Miller, are also questionable. … Oregon State quarterback Chance Nolan didn’t make the trip after straining his neck last Saturday. He’ll be replaced again by Ben Gulbranson, who completed 12 of 21 passes for 177 yards, with two INTs against Utah last Saturday.
Matchup to watch: Stanford defensive line vs. Oregon State offensive line. The Beavers have not allowed a sack in three games, and their two sacks allowed this season are the second-fewest in the FBS. Meanwhile, the Cardinal’s inexperienced line has struggled to generate pressure, part of the reason Stanford only has two takeaways.
Stats that matter: Stanford hasn’t lost to Oregon State at home since 2006. … Cardinal RB Casey Filkins has three straight games with at least 77 rushing yards. … Joshua Karty made a 53-yard field goal last Saturday, Stanford’s longest made field goal since 2009. … The Beavers are 3-0 against unranked opponents. … This will be Oregon State’s fourth game away from home, the most in the Pac-12.
— HAROLD GUTMANN