Looking for entertainment on Saturday night? Look no further as there’s a pivotal Pac-12 showdown coming your way as the Stanford Cardinal take on the Oregon Ducks. Another critical game is on the horizon in the SEC as the Auburn Tigers take on the Ole Miss Rebels (read the complete preview here).
Will the Cardinal be able to put another impressive showing on both sides of the field? Or will the Ducks’ high-powered offense prove too much for Stanford? Read on as we break down this intriguing Pac-12 matchup.
The Stanford Cardinal, one of the best defenses in the nation allowing 12.5 points per game (second in the FBS), will have their toughest test to date when they take on the nation’s best offense, the Oregon Ducks (leads the FBS with 4,279 total yards). The Cardinal are 2-0 SU/ATS against Oregon with Marcus Mariota behind center in the past two years.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Stanford’s vaunted defense totaled six sacks for a combined loss of 55 yards in a 38-14 rout of Oregon State. Linebacker Blake Martinez accounted for three of the sacks alone. In the meantime, the Cardinal’s front seven also excelled in limiting Oregon State’s running attack to 29 yards on 12 carries. Although the Cardinal may not completely shutout Oregon’s exceptional attack (535 total yards per game), they may be able to cause several key stops which should put their offense back on the field.
More importantly, Stanford’s attack broke out of its offensive slump as quarterback Kevin Hogan threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another. Ty Montgomery ran for a 50-yard punt return for a touchdown. On the ground, the Cardinal had nine different players who combined to rack up 151 rushing yards, including a one-yard score by fullback Patrick Skoy. Running back Barry Sanders led the team with 43 yards on five carries.
If Stanford’s offense continues to click, then they should be able to exploit Oregon’s defense, which has allowed 462 total yards per game (107th in the nation). However, Hogan will need to be wary of the Ducks’ coverage after throwing two interceptions against Oregon State. The Ducks have seven interceptions, tied for third in the Pac-12.
The total has gone under in four of Stanford’s last five games.
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota threw his first interception since November 29 of last year. Still, it had no significant bearing on their 59-41 thumping of the California Golden Bears on Friday. The win pushed Oregon to 3-0 SU/ATS in their last three games, all Pac-12 victories.
Aside from his lone interception, Mariota was lights out, completing 18 of 30 passes for 326 yards and a season-high five touchdowns. The junior QB broke a school record of 8,343 passing yards when his first touchdown of the game pushed his career total to 8,625. Tight end Pharaoh Brown and running back Royce Freeman capitalized on Mariota’s game the most each catching two scoring passes. Meanwhile, leading receiver Byron Marshall had a touchdown reception of his own and finished with a team-high 133 yards.
On the ground, Freeman ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns and Charles Nelson scored on a 58-yard punt return.
Despite their dominant offensive showing against California, expect the Ducks’ offense to slow down against Stanford’s touted defense which limits opposing teams to 269.8 total yards per game.
On the other side of the ball, the Ducks don’t have the stopping power to limit their opposition. They allowed California 560 total yards, 193 rushing. Still, they should be able to limit Stanford’s anemic offense, which only managed 374.4 total yards per game (11th in the Pac-12) before Saturday’s 438-yard performance.
Oregon’s pass rush, which ranks 12th in the nation with 23 sacks in eight games, should be in play for this contest. Sophomore linebacker Peter Kalambayi leads the Ducks in that regard with a team-high 4.5 sacks this season. He should be able to power through Stanford’s offensive line which allows two sacks per game on their quarterback.
The Ducks are 4-1 in home games this season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Ducks (-10) make it four-straight wins as Marcus Mariota gets his first victory over Stanford.
