Stanford RB Bryce Love (ankle), the nation’s foremost rusher, is a game-time decision, but you wouldn’t know it with the total. It has risen by a point. If Love were borderline, you might expect him to play -- against Washington or Southern Cal. But the Cardinal likely figure they can slide by resting Love on a short week against the Pac 12’s worst team. Any RB can gain yards behind Stanford’s peerless run-blocking offensive line, but a Love-less unit would be less inclined to break a long one. The Beavers’ defense will strive to make a good first impression on newly appointed interim coach Cory Hall.

Old-fashioned Stanford always prefers the handoff to the pass, never more so than this season. It has unleashed a sprinter in cleats, RB Bryce Love, easily the nation’s most prolific rusher and a deserving Heisman Trophy candidate. The Cardinal have swept four games in a row straight-up and historically do well on Thursdays, going 4-1 ATS. However, they might be glancing ahead to more challenging foes Washington and Washington State the next two weekends. The Beavers’ latest game, a three-point loss to Colorado, was their best — in fact, their first good one — of the season. They, too, are 4-1 ATS on weeknights. They, too, will adhere to the ground, so a frequently running clock could benefit the ‘dog lovers. Though the Cardinal have covered in six of the past seven meetings, the average margin in the four latest is 10 points.