First, you call the Beavs the new Wazzu - the basement dwellers...the bottom-feeders. Now, you pick Stanford to Rose Bowl and Ducks to Valero. Up yours, Miller. Up yours and that big forehead you freak. http://espn.go.com/blog/pac12/post/_/id/25582/pac-12-bowl-projections-3
I think UO is going to get better and better as the season goes along. Our freshman will gain experience, Kelly will figure out how to best have our over the top talented backfield get the most. Barring a slew of major injuries, I say "look out Stanford", we're coming to get you.
Stanford isn't doing themselves any favors by playing SJS or Duke. Sure, they've dominated, but they are still giving up nearly 300 yards a game. Luck is a stud but I was looking at their OL and NG/DE. They are not as big as in years past. They are one Andy Luck injury away from trouble. I love every game, but really looking forward to this one!
I respect your opinion, but a few things to think about: This Stanford team IS vulnerable. They have not played a team yet who is on the level of Nevada, let alone, LSU. They are untested and still showing opponent staff how they can be beat: 1. Stanford converted 5/13 first downs against a terrible SJS defense. 2. Stanford averaged 3.5 yards per rush against SJS. NOT impressive. Oregon averaged 6.3 yards per rush against a much stronger Nevada defense. 3. SJS averaged 6.4 yards per pass play and had 210 total pass yards vs Stanford. UCLA held SJS to 115 passing yards, forced more TO's, and only allowed 3.4 yards per pass play. 4. Duke (who also lost to Richmond!) had 335 yards 4.7 ypp, with 28/39 pass completions on 7.8 ypp with several plays of 20+ yards. 5. Duke sacked Luck twice and INT'd him once. They also held Stanford to less than 50% 3rd down conv. Stanford is very much beatable. I'm not saying it's easy or guaranteed. However, they have been giving up a surprising amount of pass yards and DT appears to be getting comfortable with his receivers after a 300 yard, 6 TD game vs a respectable defense. Unfortunately, the home-field advantage goes to the Trees, but this game is very much a W for the Ducks if they put together a solid gameplan and execute like they can.
About the only way I see Stanford beating us (aside from massive injuries, of course) is if we can't get sufficient pressure on Luck and he picks us apart. But as the field gets smaller when they are in the red zone, our speed and good 'covers' should cause problems for him. It'll be a great game.
