What to know before Stanford takes on San Jose State in rivalry game

SAN JOSE STATE AT STANFORD Records San Jose State - Stanford - Kickoff p m at Stanford Stadium TV ACC System Radio KNBR AM Series history Stanford leads - - including - - at Stanford Stadium SJSU is trying to beat Stanford in back-to-back games for the first time since winning three in a row from - The event was also San Jose State s last win at Stanford Stanford storylines Stanford enters the meeting as a favorite for the first and likely only time this year But the Cardinal won t be taking anything for granted against a Spartans band that beat it to end last season Stanford has a new quarterback a absolutely new receiving corps and a new offense under interim coach Frank Reich but it has still struggled to result points per battle last in the ACC Then again San Jose State has been even worse which should help the Stanford defense bounce back from its worst performance of the season in last week s - loss at Virginia San Jose State storylines SJSU is coming off its first win of the season beating Idaho - The Spartans will be looking for their first win at Stanford since a - win on Sept SJSU has a chance to defeat Stanford in back-to-back seasons for the first time since they defeated the Cardinal three times in a row from - all at Stanford Kicker Denis Lynch hit the game-winning -yard field goal against Idaho his first make of the season after starting the year - on field goals Head coach Ken Niumatalolo certified that wide receiver Malachi Riley will be out for the season the Arizona transfer was expected to play a key role in the offense Related Articles Why the Big Ten can t adopt SEC model with permanent opponents Stanford motivated to bounce back avenge last season s loss to San Jose State Stanford defense buckles in blowout loss at Virginia Stanford s road woes continue in a - loss to Virginia What to know before Stanford faces Virginia in ACC play Stats that matter Micah Ford ranks fourth in the ACC in rushing yards with and he has the fourth most of broken tackles in the nation per PFF Stanford is attempting to begin - at home for the first time since the last time the Cardinal played in a bowl championship Sun Bowl Under Niumatalolo the Spartans are - on the road SJSU ranks th in the FBS with a turnover margin of minus- the Spartans one turnover against Idaho was their lowest total of the season SJSU s defense has held its opponents to -of- on third downs this season but allowed Idaho to go -for- on fourth down HAROLD GUTMANN