Stanford Football: 3 bold predictions for San Diego State game

3. Keller Chryst will pad his passing stats in defeat against Aztecs

In his first two games of the season, Keller Chryst has looked mediocre for Stanford. The Cardinal quarterback is completing less than 56 percent of his passes at this point, right around par for his career average. He has thrown four touchdowns without tossing an interception, but Chryst is averaging just 212.5 yards per game for the Pac-12 hopefuls.

San Diego State features a formidable running defense, but they have been a bit sketchier on the back end. The Aztecs rank 93rd nationally in passing yards allowed while giving up 278 yards per game. Even worse for Rocky Long’s defense, they rank in the bottom six in the FBS in opponents’ yards per passing attempt.

Chryst should be able to find receivers like Connor Washington and Kaden Smith, and he could go over 300 yards for the first time in his college career. But he will also take a couple of sacks and throw his first interceptions of the season.

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A bend-but-don’t-break defense will allow Chryst to pad his passing stats, but they will also thwart Stanford’s ultimate ambitions. The underdogs will emerge as the top Group of Five team after the weekend, and the Cardinal offer a resume builder for a potential challenge to the College Football Playoff itself. Chryst will look better than he has so far this year, but it won’t be enough as San Diego State steals victory in a close contest.