Colorado @ Stanford preview
Stanford Stadium
THE STORY: It appears to be a mismatch of epic proportions when No. 4 Stanford and star quarterback Andrew Luck host road-challenged Colorado. The Cardinal’s 12-game winning streak is the nation’s longest and Luck is one of the favorites in the Heisman Trophy race. Stanford can match the school record for consecutive victories by beating the Buffaloes and is vying for its first 5-0 start since 1951. Meanwhile, Colorado has lost 19 straight road games and let a late 10-point lead slip away while losing to equally woeful Washington State last week.
TV: Versus. LINE: Stanford -29
ABOUT STANFORD (4-0, 2-0 Pac-12 North): The Cardinal have won 19 of their last 21 home games. Luck has put up Heisman quality stats through four games. He has completed 71.4 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,013 yards and 11 touchdowns. Luck has been intercepted once in 112 attempts. The Cardinal rank seventh in scoring offense (45.8 points per game) and 17th in total offense (471.5), and haven’t scored fewer than 37 points. Running back Stepfan Taylor has 401 rushing yards. The defense ranks sixth in scoring defense (11.5) and fourth against the run (62.3). Linebacker Chase Thomas leads the Pac-12 with 4.5 sacks. Stanford has 14 sacks overall.
ABOUT COLORADO (1-4, 0-1 Pac-12 South): The Buffaloes are 0-2 on the road this season, losing to Hawaii 34-17 and Ohio State 37-17. Quarterback Tyler Hansen (4,147 yards) is the seventh quarterback in school history to top 4,000 career passing yards. He has thrown for 1,325 yards and 11 touchdowns this season while being intercepted only twice, but Colorado ranks 89th in scoring offense (24.4). Rodney Stewart had his first 100-yard rushing game of the season and 15th of his career with 132 yards against Washington State. Paul Richardson (29 receptions, 474 yards) is Colorado’s top receiver. The Buffaloes have issues in the secondary because of injuries and have allowed 11 passing touchdowns, tied for most in the Pac-12 with Arizona.
EXTRA POINTS
1. This is the first meeting since Stanford beat the Buffaloes 41-37 in 1993. The series is tied at 3-3.
2. Luck is 24-5 as a starter. The 24 wins are tied with Steve Stenstrom for most in Stanford history.
3. Colorado’s last seven road losses have been by an average of 25.1 points.
PREDICTION: Stanford 51, Colorado 14 - The Cardinal figure to score early and often against a Colorado program that is adjusting to first-year coach Jon Embree.