A pivotal road battle awaits Washington football this Friday night, as the Huskies visit Stanford in Pac-12 action. Can the Huskies keep their Playoff hopes alive?
Washington (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) remains a bit of a darkhorse to make a return to the College Football Playoff, but they do control their own destiny when it comes to reaching the conference title game once again.
A victory over the Cardinal would likely create a winner-take-all battle with rival Washington State (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12) on November 25 for the North division. Washington still faces Utah next week and the Cougars play the Utes this week on the road.
For Stanford (6-3, 5-2 Pac-12), with Bryce Love returning to the backfield, they have a good chance to make it a three-team race in the division despite a recent setback to the Cougars, 24-21.
While the Cardinal feature Love, who remains a Heisman candidate despite missing a game and failing to crack 100 yards last week, the Huskies have their own talented running back in Myles Gaskin to compliment quarterback Jake Browning and star wide receiver/returner Dante Pettis.
Washington won its second straight since a surprising loss to Arizona State, topping Oregon 38-3. They posted 44 points in a win vs. UCLA after being held to just seven vs. the Sun Devils.
Stanford, meanwhile, had its five-game win streak snapped by Washington State. They were coming off recent wins over Oregon State, Oregon and Utah.
Here are three bold predictions for Friday night’s “Pac-12 After Dark” contest between the Huskies and the Cardinals.