Stanford running back Bryce Love (20) runs for a touchdown as Utah defensive back Marquise Blair (13) misses a tackle in the second half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

By Matt Harrington

PALO ALTO–Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love is leading the nation with 1295 yards carried. He’s having an obvious impact in Stanford’s success. The Cardinal’s recent success with three straight wins has to do with a Heisman front runner and also getting their feet back up underneath them and the trip out to Sydney kind of threw them for a loop.

For the Cardinal to come back to the states kind out of rhythm it’s pretty much the same when the had to go down and play San Diego State and their a little bit better of a team than we gave them credit for. In the USC game it was one of those game where Sam Darnold kind of did what he can do and what he’s capable of.

The game loses to the Aztecs and to the Trojans were just two unfortunate bumps for the Cardinal. They look like they’ve found their footing of late and they’ve had some good circumstances in terms of teams who have key injuries. Last week’s win against Utah was a big win for the Cardinal  in terms of solidifying who they are as a team. Love was handcuffed early and wasn’t used to getting the yards he’s used to getting early.

Matt does the Cardinal podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com