Stanford vs. Wake Forest
Records: Stanford (2-5, 1-3 ACC); Wake Forest (3-4, 1-2 ACC)
Kickoff: 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Stanford Stadium.
TV: ACC Network
Radio: 1050 AM
Series history: This will be the third meeting. The teams split a two-game home-and-home series in 2009-10, with Stanford winning its home game 68-24.
Stanford storylines: The Cardinal is coming off four straight blowout losses but hopes to regroup against what may be the most winnable game left on its schedule (though it’s still a 3-point underdog). … The team is 122nd out of 133 FBS teams in both passing yards and passing yards allowed. Stanford did have three sacks and three forced turnovers (two on punt returns) last week against SMU, both season highs. And a possible switch at QB from Ashton Daniels to freshman Elijah Brown may shake up the offense.
Wake Forest storylines: Wake Forest was picked to finish 15th out of 17 teams in the ACC preseason poll (Stanford was picked to finish last) but can keep realistic hopes of bowl eligibility alive with a win Saturday. It has struggled at home but is 2-0 on the road, with wins at N.C. State and Connecticut. … QB Hank Bachmeier, the older brother of Stanford sophomore receiver Tiger Bachmeier, is in his first year at Wake Forest after spending four years at Boise State and one at Louisiana Tech.
Stats that matter: Stanford’s last home win against an FBS team was more than two years ago – 15-14 over Arizona State on Oct. 22, 2022. … Wake Forest linebacker Nick Anderson averages an ACC-best 10.9 tackles per game and 5.4 solo tackles per game. … If Brown starts, Stanford could join Florida as the only teams to start a true freshman at QB and running back (Micah Ford). … Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne ranks second in the ACC with eight rushing touchdowns this season.
— HAROLD GUTMANN
