Watching Stanford v ASU, Stanford ain't no joke. Their defense tackles really well in the open field.
I can't wait for the Oregon/Stanford match up. Fans and media are going to dramatize and bill it as speed vs size but Oregon is plenty big and Stanford is plenty fast. Ultimately, it will be two very good teams establishing a winner on the field. To me, Stanford does not have the balanced offense it has in the past. In the three games they have played, they have had more passing yards. That is a favorable element for Oregon with our coverage strengths and push on the DL and while they have had some success running, they are missing Taylor in the backfield. It's also clear they are looking for leadership in a WR after graduating their four top catchers. Don't quote me, but I believe his is becoming a very nice rivalry, with the away team winning the last four (which is strange). I love every game...but this one is circled on my calendar. If I can convince a few friends to go and the work schedule isn't too heavy, I'm going to head N to Palo Alto. BTW: Why are Phoenix Cardinals known as the Cardinals and Stanford is The Cardinal?
I know it's probably not popular on this particular board, but UW isn't dog meat this year, either. They may not be on the UO/Stanford level, but they're not far off, imho.
Not popular, but accurate. UW is playing good ball. Not convinced on the level of competition they have seen yet.
Next week we'll see if UW is for real playing AZ. I feel USC will lose next week to ASU and WAZZU is on a roll at home playing Stanford could be interesting....
Stanford's team name doesn't refer to a bird (or even a tree). It's actually the color "cardinal". They don't even have an official mascot -- the tree is something the students put together every year for fun.
So, if they are a color, why aren't they they Cardinals? Like the Reds? The plural form of color is colors, right? If I am down and in the dumps, I have the blues...I don't have the blue. Cleveland are the Browns...right? Not, those Cleveland Brown sure have played well. Those Stanford kids are morons.
Stanford used to be known as the "Indians", and were one of the first teams to change their name from a Native American nickname to a PC name. As for why it is the "Cardinal", well, why is their mascot a pine tree, when the road to the main campus is lined with huge palm trees?
I prefer the trees with eyeballs that look like big saggy boobies http://www.survivingcollege.com/mascot-monday-the-stanford-tree/
So far I'd rank the top 5 teams in the Pac-12 as 1.Ducks 1. Standford 3. UCLA 4. Washington 5. ? I personally think Ducks are the best team but considering this will be decided at Stanford is why I have them tied.
Stanford defense looks scary good. UW has talent but until they play someone better than they have the jury is out. I really like what I see in UCLA.
Watching the Bears and Steelers right now, if Kyle Long had gotten that extra year of eligibility the Ducks would be national champs.
SlyPokerDog Re: Pac 12 teams Watching the Bears and Steelers right now, if Kyle Long had gotten that extra year of eligibility the Ducks would be national champs. That is the damn truth! Kyle on the O line gave Marcus time to tie both his shoes and grab a water before a defender was even close. He will be missed!
For sure. I was really disappointed he didn't get that. He might have been an all american this year.
