Stanford enters Saturday’s game at No. 9 Miami in a position it hasn’t been in for nearly 20 years: a 30.5-point underdog.
Not since 2007 — when Stanford won as a 41-point underdog at No. 2 USC in Jim Harbaugh’s first year — has the spread been this large.
Stanford (3-4, 2-2) is 0-4 on the road but is coming off a win over Florida State. Miami (5-1, 1-1) is coming off its first loss, at home against Louisville.
“I really like the way our team is stepping up each week,” said interim coach Frank Reich. “I really feel like our team is on the right track, and every week’s new and it’s a new challenge, but I can’t wait for us to get down there and take the next step for our team’s growth.”
Reich had his own success story against Miami to share with his team this week. In 1984, future NFL quarterback came off the bench for Maryland with the Hurricanes leading 31-0 at halftime and rallied the Terrapins to a 42-40 victory.
“It’s a long time ago,” Reich said. “And it’s funny. The things I think about that game are still the same things that (Stanford general manager Andrew) Luck and I are still preaching to this team today. One play at a time. It doesn’t matter what the score is, whether you’re up by 31 or down by 31. The only way to play football and to the only way to play your best football is to stay locked in, one play at a time.”
Here are the keys for Stanford to stay competitive on Saturday:
BECK’S BOUNCE-BACK
Georgia transfer Carson Beck may be 29-4 as a starter, the best record for any FBS QB with at least five starts. But he’s coming off his worst performance as a Hurricane, throwing four interceptions against Louisville.
Reich, a long-time NFL QB, said that turnovers sometimes come in bunches and that Beck has likely already moved on.
“I imagine he’s put that game long behind him and is just looking forward to getting back on track,” Reich said. “I’ve seen the very best quarterbacks in the world have very bad days and bounce back the next week. So I expect he’ll be of that same mindset, and it’ll be our defense’s challenge to try to contain him and keep him down.”
Beck will also be facing a depleted secondary. Stanford senior safety Mitch Leigber will miss the first half after being ejected for targeting against FSU, while top safety Jay Green will miss the game with an undisclosed injury.
The Cardinal defense held Florida State to a season-low 13 points. The Seminoles entered the game averaging 44.2 points per game, which was fifth nationally.
QB UNCERTAINTY
Sixth-year senior Ben Gulbranson was listed as probable in Thursday’s injury report after Stanford’s starting quarterback suffered a knee injury in the second quarter against FSU.
His availability will be critical against Miami, who is 13th in the country in scoring defense (15.3 points per game) and 15th in total defense (291.5 yards per game).
Redshirt freshman Elijah Brown played the entire second half against the Seminoles. He led one 94-yard touchdown drive, but only recorded two first downs on five other possessions in the second half – and one of those came when FSU jumped offsides on fourth down.
Brown finished 6 of 12 passing for 71 yards as the Cardinal held on for the win. Reich praised Brown’s poise.
“The big thing is just play the play and don’t try to be a superstar,” Reich said. “Don’t try to be a hero. Just do what the play is called for. Let your teammate shine and stick to the script. And he did that well.”
Still, Stanford will need more than just a game manager if it hopes to score against Miami. Gulbranson has thrown five passing plays of at least 50 yards, which ranks eighth in college football.
EMERGING WEAPONS
Whoever’s under center will lean heavily on emerging playmakers like redshirt freshman Cole Tabb and senior tight end Sam Roush.
Tabb was named the ACC running back of the week after gaining 118 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries against FSU after starter Micah Ford left in the second quarter with a leg injury. Ford will be unavailable against the Hurricanes.
“(Tabb) showed that power to move the pile but also showed speed to get around the edge, and that’s a rare combination,” Reich said.
Roush was expected to be the top target heading into the season. After being held to 10 catches through five games, he has caught 14 passes for 152 yards in the past two weeks.
“You have a really super talented player who has the ability to be a big-time playmaker,” Reich said. “It’s not our MO to just have one guy that we’re targeting. We like to spread the ball around. But we certainly want him to be a big part of our offense.”
MENTAL TOUGHNESS
Miami has NFL talent on its roster and is bound to make plays. But Stanford must bounce back quickly before the Hurricanes take an insurmountable lead.
Junior outside linebacker Ernest Cooper said that general manager Andrew Luck has been stressing the motto “re-engage and persist.”
“So, no matter what may happen, good or bad, you’ve got to obviously have amnesia, forget about the past, and focus on what’s next in front of you,” Cooper said. “That’s not just been a defensive thing, but the mentality of the team.”