History shows that Stanford will find it hard to pick up their second win of the year. Two of the last three matchups at Reser Stadium have come down to the closing seconds. In 2017, Stanford sneaked out a 15-14 victory when Keller Chryst threw a touchdown with 20 seconds left. In 2013, the Cardinal defense held Oregon State out of the end zone with less than a minute left. In 2019, the Stanford and Oregon State game could once again come down to the final seconds.
Oregon State has struggled to stop anyone this year; allowing Oklahoma State’s offense to score 52 points, while the Hawaii offense gained 488 total yards the next week. Stanford will have a chance to jumpstart their offense against a weak Beavers defense.
This year, running the ball has worked better for the Cardinal. Cameron Scarlett has been solid as a lead back, averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and if not for trailing in games, the team would likely call his number more often. With KJ Costello nursing an ailing thumb, who knows how well he can throw the ball, so against Oregon State, expect Stanford to try to control the line and the clock early. Stanford should have no trouble finding success on the ground; otherwise, the team might be in trouble.
Oregon State can score points. They scored six touchdowns (more than Stanford has scored all season) versus Cal Poly, but USD also scorched Cal Poly for 52 points, so that is not saying much. The Cardinal defense will be better than any other defense Oregon State has seen this year. If Stanford could hold Oregon to just 21 points, they can certainly hold the Beavers to less.
In particular, senior linebacker Casey Toohill stepped up versus the Ducks, giving the Cardinal much-needed leadership. On the year, he has 28 tackles, six for loss, and four sacks. He and the rest of the front seven should win the battle at the line.
Ultimately, Paulson Adebo might decide this game. Oregon State has done an excellent job passing the ball, but their quarterback Jake Luton has a clear favorite: Isaiah Hodgins. He has 23 receptions this year, and the next Oregon State receiver only has 9. If Adebo takes Hodgins out of the game, the Beavers will struggle.
Stanford should win this game. If they cannot come back to the Farm victorious, they certainly will not be able to make a bowl game. Yes, they have injuries, but they are still undoubtedly the better team. I predict Stanford wins 24-17.
Comments
Despite Oregon, The Jury Is Still Out On Our Defense
I agree that Shaw will run the ball more than he has to date – playing classic Shaw ball. If Costello can’t throw, he should not be in there. A pick six early is the kind of thing that turns a game like this around. I think we score 28 points which should be enough to win this game. Beavers end up with 17 – 24 points.
But so hard to know what kind of team Stanford is these days.
Playing for a bowl game is a very different kind of season…………..
By hoyaparanoia on 09.25.19 6:23pm
Costello Just Ruled Out
@Slot_Man22…………..time for the Davis Mills show! Actually, given how poorly Costello played last week (and now it seems he obviously was injured), it is better that Mills will be playing. Maybe he should have come in last week as well.
By hoyaparanoia on 09.27.19 12:20pm
Run Cardinal Run
Wierdly, after last year’s quirky non-blocking ground game, a tattered, makeshift TWU allowed Cam Scarlett to gain 97 yards on only 19 carries (5.1 ypc) against Oregon last Saturday. Last year, Bryce Love was getting caught in the backfield as soon as he got the handoff, as a result of TWU toreador choreography.
Two years ago, Cam Scarlett led the PAC-12 in kickoff returns and was #2 nationally. With gimpy Bryce Love hogging the snaps last year, while Scarlett got the short yardage TDs. Scarlett is a clone of Tyler Gaffney, in size, speed, and difficulty to tackle. Cam doesn’t need to be the 2nd coming of Bryce Love or Christian McCaffrey; another Tyler Gaffney wlll do. In 2013, against Oregon, Gaffney had 45 carries for 158 yards (3.5 ypc) as Stanford’s ball control kept the Ducks’ potent offense, featuring Marcus Mariota, on the sidelines, on the way to scoring. Stanford won that game. Of course, Costello’s early hand injury was critical, but Scarlett’s 5+ ypc was already on display in the first half. Could Stanford, despite Costello undisclosed injury, have won using the same strategy as in 2013? Cam Scarlett was making it happen but the coaches didn’t seem to notice his 97 yards on only 19 carries…imagine how 40 carries might’ve worked. Mills would benefit from that kind of help.
By Candid One on 09.28.19 1:59am
Yessir
I feel bad for KJ in how things have played out so far this season….hope he’s able to heal as quickly as possible.
Now, regarding Mills… he’s pumped and ready go out and show what he can do! We saw a quick glimpse against USC but today will see him full throttle! However if Shaw neglects to open the playbook, comes out too conservative depending heavily on the run game we surely have a loooooong day ahead
By Slot_Man22 on 09.28.19 2:23am