Washington @ Stanford preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 30, 2010 ) Stanford 41, Washington 0

THE STORY: It’s time to get serious for No. 5 Stanford, whose first six opponents are a combined 14-24. The schedule gets tougher starting this Saturday against No. 24 Washington, which is 3-0 in the Pac-12 Conference for the first time since 1997. The Huskies have scored more than 30 points in each of their six games, while Stanford is allowing only 11 points per game. The marquee matchup features the Pac-12’s highest-rated quarterbacks - Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Washington’s Keith Price.

TV: ABC, ESPN3.com. LINE: Stanford -20.5

ABOUT WASHINGTON (5-1, 3-0 Pac-12 North): Price has been a revelation with 21 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. He ranks second in the nation in touchdown passes and fifth in passer rating. The balanced Washington attack includes Chris Polk, the conference’s second-leading rusher at 121 yards per game. The Huskies have been tough against the run, but they’ve struggled mightily against the pass. Washington has only 13 sacks while allowing 303 passing yards per game. Linebacker Cort Dennison leads the team in tackles, and cornerback Desmond Trufant has two interceptions.

ABOUT STANFORD (6-0, 4-0): The Cardinal, who are eighth in the first BCS standings, look to extend the nation’s longest win streak to 15 games, and the odds are in their favor. Luck is 15-1 in his career at home, where Stanford has won 10 straight. The Heisman Trophy candidate has gone a career-high four straight games without being sacked, and his 63 career touchdown passes rank third on Stanford’s all-time list. Luck relies heavily on his tight ends, while tailback Stepfan Taylor averages 93 yards rushing with five touchdowns. Stanford’s defense has held its last 12 opponents under 25 points, and linebacker Chase Thomas leads the conference with six sacks.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Stanford has outscored its opponents 114-41 in the first half and 161-26 in the second.

2. Washington has lost 14 of its last 15 road games against ranked opponents.

3. Stanford trails the all-time series with Washington 37-40-4. The Cardinal have won three straight and five of the last six meetings, including last year's contest in Seattle 41-0.

PREDICTION: Stanford 38, Washington 21 - Price will keep it close for a while, but Luck should be able to post another big game against the Washington secondary.