Unlike past years, this game won’t have an implication on the PAC-12 North title. The only implication this game has is whether or not either team improves their chances at making a bowl game. Both teams stand at 4-5, and both teams need a win.
Don’t let the Cougars’ five losses deceive you. They are still the same Mike Leach team that throws, throws again, and throws some more. Their quarterback, senior redshirt Anthony Gordon, leads the country in passing yards per game and passing touchdowns. He’ll be able to scorch a depleted Stanford secondary, which won’t have star cornerback Paulson Adebo available.
Washington State is going to put up points. They’ve scored over 30 points in every game except against Utah . Stanford will need to score at least 30 points to have a chance.
Luckily for Stanford, Davis Mills, the presumed Stanford starter at quarterback, is undefeated against Washington schools. Before getting hurt, Mills started to live up to the potential that made him a five-star quarterback recruit out of high school. Against the Huskies, he threw for 293 yards and a touchdown, and overall, throughout the season, he has completed 65 percent of his passes, five touchdowns, and thrown just one interception in 110 attempts.
Some would say he’s an upgrade over KJ Costello. Mills has thrown two less interceptions and averages 8.1 yards per pass compared to 6.2, which is a pretty substantial margin. Mills will have healthy options between Connor Wedington, Colby Parkinson, and Simi Fehoko, so I expect him to pick up where he left off versus the Huskies.
Washington State will (should) allow the Cardinal to score. Yes, Stanford could not score versus an even worse Colorado defense, but in my opinion, the Stanford offense runs better with Mills behind center. The Cougars allow almost 450 yards per game and about 30 points.
Ultimately, this game will be decided by David Shaw and Davis Mills. If Stanford can control the ball and extend drives, then I think they’ll leave Pullman with a win. If the offense plays like they did versus Colorado, they’ll get blown out.
I’m still holding out hope for a bowl game. I believe in Mills, and I think the Cardinal sneak by 34-31.
P.S. I was really, really wrong last week.
Comments
Keep hope alive!
This has been a down year for Cardinal football, but I’d still love to see them steal one in Pullman, then take out Cal. That gets us to 6 wins and a coveted berth in the Cheez-It Bowl. Go Stanford!
By g8tgod on 11.15.19 8:45pm
Of all the weeks this one will be the least on mills
The QB position is the most important position in a team of all sports. So without decent / good QB play, the card will not be pulling one out in Pullman.
But of all the weeks, his impact on the game will be much less because of the cougs offensive scheme. I would wager that if we play time of possession, Shaw ball with 80% redzone conversion to TDs, then we stand a great chance of ending this mini streak.
Cougs have another good QB who will sling it to all his targets. It’s just not a great matchup for stanford any year, but especially one that is shorthanded with DBs. Their quick passing negates any pass rush and unless they turn it over, it’s just really hard to find any rest for the defense.
So it is absolutely necessary that we run the ball well, play keep away football. Davis mills will play his part in critical 3rd downs and redzone but he has to be well supported by the run game, special teams and some turnover luck.
By layman on 11.15.19 10:07pm
Correction: the Coug only scored 20 vs. Cal
So that’s two games in which they were held to under 30 points. But, yes, they do have a prolific offense.
I agree with layman’s take above. Run the ball, shorten the game, play high TOP, keep Gordon and Borghi off the field, and we have a chance. Otherwise, it’s a shoot-out, and we lose. And a few turnovers in our direction would be great.
By Jeff Tarnungus on 11.16.19 2:26am
My Fear Is We Play TOP Shaw Ball.....
…..but fail to get enough first downs. We need to focus 10 yards at a time………..not take too many shots downfield. Too often we seem to get to 2nd and 6. Throw an incompletion downfield, and are left with 3rd and long. Then punt.
First Downs! And when we get into the red zone, TOUCHDOWNS!
I think we fail to get those first downs early, WSU puts some points on the board, and then we are left trying to play shoot-out from behind.
Davis Mills appears to be a really good QB. But as noted above, this game is not about him alone.
By hoyaparanoia on 11.16.19 9:12am
Huh?
Did someone say something?? If Mills is starting we’re good
By Slot_Man22 on 11.16.19 2:18pm
Looks like the answer is no
By worldblee on 11.16.19 2:45pm