Those who jumped on Stanford at +7 wound up with a value pick. The number has shrunk with the scratch of Oregon State QB Chance Nolan, who was iffy during the week. Ben Gulbrandon played well out of the bullpen last Saturday but has never started. The QB combo has generated just 30 points the past two weeks. The Cardinal are coming out of a three-week gauntlet, losing to USC, Washington and Oregon from the Pac12 upper crust. They will welcome this slightly softer touch, having covered in five of the six most recent meetings.

What the heck happened to Stanford? Yes tough admission standards but wow. Break out the NIL money Tiger Woods. I'll still take my chances here as (no pun intended; well maybe) as the Beavers will be without starting QB Chance Nolan. Feels like a field goal game. Wouldn't do it if at Oregon State.