Stanford Football: 3 keys for bounce-back victory vs. UCF in Week 3

PALO ALTO, CA - AUGUST 31: Michael Wilson #4 of the Stanford Cardinal reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA - AUGUST 31: Michael Wilson #4 of the Stanford Cardinal reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
1 of 4

Stanford football suffered a terrible loss at the hands of the USC Trojans. Here are three keys for the Cardinal to get a win against UCF.

The Stanford Cardinal visit Orlando coming off of one of the worst losses in the David Shaw era. They were obliterated by the USC Trojans 45-20 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Week 2.

KJ Costello was out, and although replacement Davis Mills wasn’t terrible, he was outplayed by fellow backup quarterback Kedon Slovis. Not to mention the defense looked very un-Shaw-like, giving up 45 points. There’s a lot going wrong in Palo Alto right now, and head coach David Shaw has a lot to fix.

Meanwhile in Orlando, the Knights are livin’ large in the Magic Kingdom. Although their undefeated streak came to an end at the hands of the LSU Tigers last postseason, they’ve picked up where they left off. UCF has trounced their first two opponents, and welcome the Cardinal to what is sure to be a packed house at Spectrum Stadium.

The Knights come into this game with all of the momentum, but the Cardinal are the toughest test the Knights have had so far this year. Stanford needs this win badly, and here are three keys for a Stanford Cardinal win: