Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo vs Stanford Picks and Prediction – 9/7/2024

Cal Poly and Stanford both enter this matchup looking for the first win of the season after tough losses in the season openers. Cal Poly fell short in a 27-21 loss to San Diego, while Stanford was edged out by TCU, 34-27. Both teams will be eager to turn things around in this early-season contest. Dominate the college scene with our College Football picks.

Cal Poly’s offense struggled to find balance in the season opener. Quarterback Bo Kelly threw for 226 yards with one touchdown but also three interceptions, which significantly hampered the ability to maintain drives. The ground game was almost non-existent, with Kelly leading the team with just 15 rushing yards. This lack of production on the ground could be a significant issue against Stanford, especially if the Mustangs can’t find a way to alleviate the pressure on Kelly by establishing a more effective rushing attack.

Defensively, the Mustangs had issues containing San Diego’s offense, particularly on third downs. They allowed 27 points and failed to generate any significant turnovers. This could be a major concern going into the game against Stanford, whose offense, led by a dual-threat quarterback, has the potential to exploit these defensive lapses. Cal Poly will need to tighten up the coverage and find ways to create turnovers if they want to compete against the Cardinal.

Stanford, on the other hand, showed some offensive promise despite the loss to TCU. Quarterback Ashton Daniels led the team with 163 passing yards and also contributed 87 yards on the ground, demonstrating his dual-threat capability. However, the Cardinal struggled to convert in the red zone, a factor that ultimately cost them the game. Wide receiver Elic Ayomanor was a standout, registering 102 receiving yards, and his ability to stretch the field could be a key factor against Cal Poly’s struggling secondary.

Defensively, Stanford has room for improvement after giving up 34 points to TCU. The Cardinal did show flashes of potential, particularly in creating turnovers, which could play a crucial role in this game. If Stanford can capitalize on Cal Poly’s offensive mistakes and tighten up the red zone defense, they have a good chance of securing a first victory of the season.

Stanford's ability to move the ball both through the air and on the ground should give them the upper hand against a Cal Poly team that has struggled offensively and defensively. Expect the Cardinal to control the game and capitalize on the Mustangs' mistakes. Final Score Prediction: Stanford wins 31-17.