Stanford to Face San Jose State in Key Matchup
On Friday at 4 p.m. EST, Stanford (3-8) will visit San Jose State (6-5) in a game broadcasted on CBS. Currently, San Jose State is favored by 3 points according to BetMGM’s college football odds. Historically, Stanford leads the two teams with a series record of 52-14-1.
This matchup holds significant implications for both teams. San Jose State is looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses against ranked opponents while aiming for their third straight winning season. Conversely, Stanford must secure a victory in order to avoid marking the same season with nine losses for the fourth year in a row.
A key matchup to watch will be between standout wide receivers, Elic Ayomanor from Stanford and Nick Nash from San Jose State. Although the two won’t directly compete against each other, they are the focal points of their respective offenses. Nash leads the nation with 96 receptions and 14 touchdown catches, accumulating 1,291 receiving yards. Ayomanor has also had an impressive season, with 53 catches for 722 yards and six touchdowns for the Cardinal.
For Stanford fans, keep an eye on quarterback Justin Lamson. He has made waves this season as a part-time starter, notably scoring two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter of last week’s game against California. His seven rushing touchdowns this season set a school record for quarterbacks, surpassing the previous record of six held by legends Jim Plunkett and Kevin Hogan.
On the other hand, San Jose State’s quarterback Walker Eget will be looking to improve after a disappointing performance last week against UNLV, completing only 4 of 22 passes in difficult weather conditions. Nevertheless, Eget had previously thrown for 841 yards over his two prior games, showcasing his potential.
In terms of statistics and historical context, Stanford has dominated this series recently, winning six straight encounters and ten of the last eleven matchups. The last time San Jose State triumphed over Stanford was in 2006, coinciding with their last home game against the Cardinal. Notably, Stanford avoided turnovers last week for the first time in 15 games, a marked improvement for their offense. Meanwhile, the Spartans have struggled against power conference teams, sporting a record of 1-28 since 2007, with their single victory occurring in 2019 at Arkansas. Lastly, San Jose State hasn’t achieved three consecutive winning seasons since their four-year streak from 1989 to 1992, but they have seen success at home, winning 14 out of their last 17 home games.
Conclusion
As both teams gear up for this pivotal game, the stakes are high, not just for the standings, but for team morale and future aspirations. Fans can expect an exciting face-off as both squads showcase their talents on the field.