Stanford:

Peter Kalambayi, OLB, Jr.

Kalambayi leads the Cardinal with 3.5 sacks this season, and he’ll be looking to increase that number against an offensive line that gives up the most sacks in the conference. Putting pressure on quarterback Luke Falk will be a crucial part of this game.

Ronnie Harris, CB, 5Sr.

Harris has been put to the test multiple times this season, most recently when he shut down UCLA’s Jordan Payton in Stanford’s win over the Bruins. Can he do the same against arguably the most successful QB/WR combo in the Pac-12?

Christian McCaffrey, RB, So.

McCaffrey has torn up run defenses this year that were thought to be much better than Washington State’s. Can the nation’s leader in all-purpose yards do it again against a team that allows over 5 yards per rushing attempt?

Washington State:

Joe Dahl, LT, 5Sr.

The Washington State offense has allowed a conference-high 23 sacks this season, and although Falk has put up tremendous numbers, it will be crucial for Dahl and the rest of the Cougars’ offensive line to give him adequate time to throw.

Gabe Marks, WR, Jr.

Marks is far and away the favorite target of Falk, with 57 catches for 717 yards and a conference-high 10 touchdowns. He caught 4 of those touchdowns against Arizona last week and is coming into the game riding one of the biggest hot streaks in the nation.

Peyton Peuller, LB, Jr.

Peuller is in some ways the Blake Martinez of this Washington State team, solidifying the front seven with a team-high 57 tackles. He’ll have his toughest test of the season against the explosive Stanford running game that is averaging 5.04 rushing yards per attempt this year.

Contact Sandip Srinivas at sandips ‘at’ stanford.edu.