I hear it's supposed to be be pretty wet down there on Saturday...and could result in a slog-fest. Despite the fact they have Luck, I'm under the impression that Stanford is designed as a grind-it-out, smash-mouth football team. Is that correct? If so, it would occur to me that that doesn't bode too well for the slick and fast Ducks team. Tell me I'm wrong and have not a thing to worry about. Pretty please?
Good question. Messy field...rain...winds...wet ball (snicker)...favors a run game. I'm not so much worried about the 'speed element' as slick conditions should effective both teams equally. As in, if you run a 4.4 40 or a 5.0 40 - the conditions should effect you equally. Ucky conditions usually effects the pass game and kicking game most. The majority of Stanford's yards come through the air. Oregon gets nearly 300 yards a game running and 212 pass. I think the conditions would favor Oregon. This could make turnovers even more of a factor. I love Oregon is coming off a wet and windy one at UW. I LOVE that Thomas got a little gafoo out of his system (DAT hasn't fumbled since game 1, right?). I also like how reliable LMJ is at protecting the rock - I just hope that special brace doesn't get slick. It was recently reported that LMJ is practing with a taped elbow and not that pad. So, we'll see. CLiffnotes: all things considered. I think bad conditions help the team with the best run game. That team is Oregon.
Stanford plays on a natural grass field, correct? If so, I'd be concerned about the team's cutting abilities (or lack thereof).
http://www.covers.com/pageLoader/pageLoader.aspx?page=/data/ncf/matchups/g8_grassturf_50.html Possibly. But, wouldn't the conditions be equally difficult for a defender to catch a smaller, quicker back? Arm tackles don't cut it against LMJ and Barner. Defenders need to be in a good position to stop those kids. Oregon doesn't just rely on speedy backs making cuts in order to gain yards. There's some power/gap blocking involved too. Those sideline to sideline plays soften the defensive and thinking back to last year vs Stanford, we'd run sideline plays over and over and then take a strike downfield. It was beautiful play calling. Lets say this comes down to a traditional back and forth power game. Our OL and backs are certainly up to the challenge. Consider how difficult it is to tackle LMJ and how many yards he gets after initial contact - then consider wet and slippery hands, arms, uniforms - it's going to be difficult bring him down. A lot will be on Thomas to read. My biggest concern is getting the right cleats for the game. We've traditionally not done well at bringing the proper shoes for the conditions. Also, let's say this comes down to a grind it out, more of a field position game. We have the best punter (statistically) in the Pac and Stanford is second to last. Chip is awesome in conference games and I think he'll come with the best gameplan. Yup.
Good points. That said, BLAZER PROPHET will be coming over for the game. We're planning on chowing down on some Reo's ribs and all the fixin's, while watching the game on my 52" Panny plasma. Don't get any better than dat!
LMJ prefers grass over turf: http://www.csnnw.com/pages/landingd...aying-on-Grass-O=1&blockID=591378&feedID=9379
