Stanford-Washington Preview Capsule

No. 16 Stanford (2-1, 0-1 Pac-12) at Washington (4-0, 0-0), 4:15 p.m. ET (FOX).

Line: Stanford by 7 1/2

Series Record: Washington leads 41-39-4.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Welcome to the Pac-12, Chris Petersen. Welcome to the road, Stanford. Petersen and the Huskies open Pac-12 play with a stiff test against the Cardinal, who are trying to avoid starting 0-2 in conference play after dropping their Pac-12 opener against USC. It's Stanford's first trip off The Farm this season and begins a difficult stretch with three of next four games on the road.

KEY MATCHUP

Stanford's run game vs. Washington's defensive front. Washington has managed to frustrate the power run game of the Cardinal the past two seasons, including holding the Cardinal to 68 yards rushing two seasons ago in Seattle. Stanford has yet to settle on a featured back between Kelsey Young, Barry Sanders, Remound Wright and Ricky Seale. The Cardinal don't have the same power run game they've dominated with in the past. Washington's defense has struggled defending the pass thus far but been solid against the run the past three weeks.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Stanford: WR Ty Montgomery. Last season, Montgomery tortured the Huskies. Montgomery finished with 290 all-purpose yards including a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 39-yard TD reception. He finished with 204 return yards and his 68-yard kickoff return in the third quarter set up what became the deciding touchdown in the Cardinal's victory.

Washington: QB Cyler Miles. The Huskies have not needed Miles to throw extensively yet this season. If Stanford's defensive front can slow the Huskies' run game, Miles may need to do more with his arm and less with his feet. Miles is averaging just 175 yards per game through the air and has yet to throw for 200 yards in a game in his career.

FACTS & FIGURES

Thanks to two shutouts in three games, Stanford leads the country in scoring defense giving up only 4.3 points per game. ... Washington beat Stanford 17-13 in 2012 in Seattle, the Cardinal's only loss in a road opener under David Shaw. ... Petersen met with Stanford officials for its head coach opening after Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL, but decided to remain at Boise State.