It Turns Out Stanford Is a State School After All

ENLARGE

Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, right, celebrates after a 1-yard touchdown run against Southern California on Sept. 17. Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Forgive the players on No. 7 Stanford if they inquire about passports or having to change currency when they travel to play No. 10 Washington this week. After all, it’s been quite some time since the Cardinal ventured outside California.

Friday night’s matchup is one of the biggest of the week and may decide which of these Pac-12 powers has the best chance at reaching the College Football Playoff. It’s also Stanford’s first game outside of its home state in nearly 11 months.

Last year, the Cardinal finished the regular season with five consecutive games in California—three home games, the Pac-12 Championship at Levi’s Stadium (home of the San Francisco 49ers) and a postseason date with Iowa in the Rose Bowl. This season, Stanford’s lone road contest has been at UCLA.

In fact, Stanford has left California so rarely in recent times that it’s their players are beginning to look discombobulated when they’re asked to do so. Over the past three seasons, Stanford has played eight non-home games in California, going 7-1 against the spread. In games outside their home state, the’re just 4-8.

Write to Andrew Beaton at [email protected]