Stanford Football: Way-too-early game-by-game predictions for 2018

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PALO ALTO, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Ben Edwards #9 of the Stanford Cardinal intercepts a pass intended for Jeremiah Hawkins #10 of the California Golden Bears at Stanford Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

This has the look of a potential trap game for the Cardinal and if it weren’t for Stanford’s improving offense at this point, I’d give the nod to Cal. The Golden Bears aren’t a team to take lightly.

In fact, Ross Bowers returns to start at quarterback in 2018. The sophomore passed for over 3,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2017 and did so without potential top receiver Demetris Robertson who was injured early in the season and finished with just seven catches for 70 yards. He will be back and healthy, but JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Kaden Smith will neutralize him.

Bryce Love will go off for over 150 yards and he will become the front-runner for the 2018 Heisman Trophy. He’s going to be over 1,500 rushing yards at this point in the year and California won’t have an answer for him.

The Cardinal will give up a big lead late and let Cal hang around, but ultimately, it will be a nice sixth Pac-12 win for Stanford.

Final Score: Stanford 27, California 24 (8-3, 6-2 Pac-12)

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