College football: What to know before Stanford faces Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech at Stanford

Records: Stanford (1-2, 0-2 ACC). Georgia Tech (1-2, 0-0 ACC)

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Stanford Stadium

TV: ESPN

Radio: KNBR 1050 AM

Series history: Stanford and Georgia Tech are playing for the first time as ACC opponents. Georgia Tech won the previous two meetings, in the 2001 Seattle Bowl and the 1991 Aloha Bowl.

Stanford storylines: With games against ranked opponents Notre Dame, SMU and Louisville still to come, Stanford can’t afford to lose home games against unranked teams if it wants to make its first bowl appearance since 2018. … The offense hasn’t turned the ball over, but it will need to produce more big plays if Stanford hopes to win its first ACC game. Quarterback Davis Warren is one of four ACC quarterbacks without an interception. He has started his Stanford career with 107 consecutive pass attempts without throwing an interception. … Georgia Tech is the last opponent in the ACC that Stanford has not faced in conference play.

Georgia Tech storylines: The offense has struggled without 2025 ACC Player of the Year Haynes King, losing both of its games against FBS opponents (Colorado and Tennessee). … One thing to watch will be how the travel impacts the team. The Yellow Jackets are playing a regular-season game in California for the first time since 1968, with kickoff set for 10:30 p.m. Eastern.

Stats that matter: Stanford has only committed one turnover this season and has forced at least one turnover in every game. … Georgia Tech leads the nation in kickoff returns (49.6 yards per return). … Fifth-year LB Matt Rose is tied for second in the ACC with 27 tackles. … Georgia Tech leads the ACC and ranks ninth nationally in pass defense (124.7 ypg). … Stanford is 6-3 in its last nine home games dating to 2024. The Cardinal is averaging nearly 26 points per game during that span compared to under 15 points per game on the road.

— HAROLD GUTMANN