Stanford Cardinal (0-0) vs. Washington State Cougars (0-0)
Saturday, September 5, 3:00 PM PST
Las Vegas Favorite: Stanford -17.0

Sam’s Take (0 – 0):

Martin Stadium will be the site for the Pac-10’s first conference game of 2009. The hometown Cougars are looking to put a dreadful 2008 campaign behind them, and what better way to do it then by avenging one of the team’s many lopsided losses from last year (58-0 at the hands of the Cardinal).

Wazzu head coach Paul Wulff has decided to start senior Kevin Lopina at QB, but we should also see sophomore Marshall Lobbestael rotate in. Regardless of who is under center, the Cougs will need to establish a ground game early, as that is their best chance to win the season opener.

As for Stanford, head coach Jim Harbaugh is smart enough to know that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. I expect a predictable, yet highly affective game plan that involves handing the ball to Mr. Gerhart quite a bit (he rushed for 132 yards and 4 TDs in one half last year against WSU).

I believe that the Palouse is a tremendous home field advantage for WSU and a great setting for college football, but Stanford is going to be too much for the Cougars Saturday. Anytime you pit a special tailback like Gerhart up against one of the nation’s worst run defenses, things can get ugly. The real story will be how heralded freshman QB Andrew Luck performs in his first start for Stanford. Hopefully, head coach Jim Harbaugh lets Luck air it out, because I am looking forward to finally seeing the big arm that everyone has been raving about.

I don’t expect an embarrassing result like last year for WSU, but I do foresee a comfortable win for the Cardinal.

Prediction: Stanford 35 – Washington State 16

Stanford Player to Keep an Eye On: QB Andrew Luck - All eyes will be on Luck, and this game should offer some insight into what kind of a leader and game manager he will be.

Washington State Player to Keep an Eye On: RB James Montgomery - For WSU to have a chance, Montgomery will have to be as good as advertised. He and RB Dwight Tardy should be the foundation of this Wazzu offense.

Dave’s Take (0 – 0):

Interesting to see the Vegas line on this one. After a 58-0 demolishing last year, this year the game is supposed to stay within a couple of scores? I don’t get it.

I expect Washington State to be better this year, and hopefully 50+ point losses are a thing of the past. But even with better athletes on defense, are we really expecting it all to come together in week one? I for one am having trouble imagining true Freshman DE Travis Long and JuCo transher DT Bernard Wolfgramm having success against a very good offensive line and one of the best backs in the conference in Toby Gerhart in their very first game at the Pac-10 level.

If Gerhart powers the Cardinals to an early two or three score lead, the crowd should quiet down enough for QB Andrew Luck to show off his talents.

58-0, no. But until I see potential and talent turn into results on the field, I can’t expect a vast improvement overnight from the Cougars.

Prediction: Stanford 48 – Washington State 13

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