Who Has The Advantage In The Oregon-Stanford Game?
This is not only, in my opinion, the best matchup of the college football season so far, but it is one of the hardest to predict. The pundits are right in that Oregon and Stanford are opposites in many respects, but one thing they share is the ability to score points and make big plays on defense when needed. Both are 4-0 and in the top 10. If Oregon wins this game, I think it is very possible the Ducks will play in the National Championship Game next January. Here are the keys to the game for Oregon.
Darron Thomas
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I will say with modesty that I was one who called for Thomas to be the starter from the time Masoli was suspended for the 2010 season. So far, he has been very good, and has the potential to be great. The only weakness to his game is a relatively low completion percentage (under 55%), but all of his other stats are excellent including his 822 yards passing and his 10 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions. He has been solid under pressure and made fairly good reads. The only statistic that is a little surprising is his relatively modest rushing numbers. But this is only because Chip Kelley has chosen to call few plays in which he runs. I look for Thomas to run more against Stanford. This may be his first 300 yard game as Chip Kelley is likely to feel more comfortable letting him loose with his arm in the friendly environment of Autzen Stadium.
Defense Has Been Exposed......and Warned
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Against Arizona State last week, the Oregon defense looked sloppy and almost "slow" in being burned for almost 600 yards. Steven Threet picked the secondary apart all through the game and the running game was deadly in the first half.
But after listing to Chip Kelley this week it is obvious the defense used this as a learning experience. Kelley said it is good to get a win and still get a learning experience out of it. Under Kelley's leadership, the team has not had poor performances in back to back games.
Kenjon Barner Returns
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Last week Barner was limited due to injury and carried the ball only one time. He is healthy again this week so he should be returning kicks and punts full time and may get up to 10-15 carries during the game, depending on how close it stays in the second half. After rushing for almost 150 yards in week 1, Barner has done little and is anxious to show that first week was not an anomoly. Barner's emergence has allowed the Ducks to keep the redshirt on Lache Seastruck and Dontae Williams.
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Autzen Stadium's Atmosphere
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The Ducks have not lost in Autzen Stadium since the Boise State game in 2008, And Masoli missed most of that game and top corner Walter Thurmond also sat out. Oregon obviously plays well at home and it should be a bigger factor than usual with the ESPN Gameday atmosphere in Eugene. Gameday shirts have been on sale in Eugene this week and the whole state (except for Beaver fans) are fired up for this Saturday.
Conclusion
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I am not overconfident in the outcome of this game. A loss by the Ducks is very possible and if they underestimate the Cardinal or come out unprepared or uninspired, a loss is what they will get. But most likely, the Ducks will be prepared and after it takes a quarter or so to get rolling, the offense will be almost unstoppable and the defense will force Andrew Luck into some mistakes. A close game at halftime turns into a rout in the second half.
OREGON 48, STANFORD 27
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
