Stanford Football: 3 bold predictions for San Diego State game
By Zach Bigalke
3. Bryce Love won’t reach 100 rushing yards against the Aztecs
Coming into the season, the Cardinal had to adjust to life after Christian McCaffrey. So far, Bryce Love has kept the Stanford running game humming with several big performances. He is averaging over 11 yards per carry through two games, and Love has racked up four straight 100-yard performances dating back to last season.
On Saturday, though, Love will not make it five in a row. San Diego State fields one of the strongest front sixes in the country in their 3-3-5 defense. In their first two victories, the Aztecs defense gave up just 50.5 yards per game against UC-Davis and Arizona State. They currently rank seventh nationally in rushing defense at this point of the season.
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Love is going to run into a tougher defensive front than even USC offered last weekend. Defensive linemen Chibu Onyeukwu and Noble Hall can burst through the trenches without notice, and both are currently among the national leaders in sacks and tackles for loss. So too is outside linebacker Ronley Lakalaka, who has been a regular in the rotation since his true freshman season in 2015.
They will stymie Love and the rest of the Stanford running game on Saturday. Love will probably score a touchdown, but he will not reach triple digits against the Aztecs.