The Stanford Cardinal are facing an uphill battle in their 2020 season opener against the Oregon Ducks this Saturday.
The opening lines for the Week 1 slate for the Pac-12 are trickling in and the opening numbers for the Stanford-Oregon game are well in the Ducks favor.
Multiple betting sites and locations have the Ducks as a two-possession favorite over the Cardinal, including one line that’s gotten up to 10.5 points in Oregon’s favor.
With any first-time teams playing in a season, these lines are at best an educated guess, but especially when it comes to this Oregon team, and especially considering the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Oregon is replacing four-year starter in Justin Herbert at quarterback as well as a few NFL draft hopefuls in the secondary. Perhaps their biggest loss, however, is that of all-world left tackle Penei Sewell who remains opted out of the season at last check.
Sewell’s exit from the lineup means the Ducks now have an entirely new offensive line as all five starters from last year’s unit will be gone.
Reaching as high as 10.5 points, the favorable Oregon number is the second-biggest number in the betting world for the Pac-12 slate as only Arizona is the bigger underdog, as they opened up as two-touchdown dogs to the Utah Utes.
We’ll see where the lines finish come the start of the game on Saturday, but it certainly is interesting to see the Ducks getting the love from the betting circles.
Comments
It May Come Down to Mistakes
On paper, Stanford should be able to score on Oregon due to the more experienced QB, an experienced, beefed-up offensive line, a lot of quality receivers, and an excellent field goal kicker. The main reason for the 9 point favorite tag for Oregon is the Stanford defense. Can a whole slew of untested players stop Oregon? Again, on paper, it doesn’t look that way. Oregon is faster across the board. Their system, albeit new, is built for scoring. But their QB will be new. Their offensive line will be new. And the offensive system is new. All of these factors leave open the possibilities for mistakes, penalties, and turnovers. If that happens, Stanford will win.
By SU74 on 11.02.20 8:36am
Which Is Why.....
….several pundits have predicted a Stanford upset….in addition to Stanford having a record of surprises in Eugene.
I fear Shaw (as always) keeps the game too close and our defense gets gashed in the end for a loss.
By hoyaparanoia on 11.02.20 6:39pm
I see it other way - Oregon defense is good
My take is quite the opposite. I see Oregon offense as sloppy and figuring it’s way throughout the game. Their defense though is loaded with plenty of playmakers and impact freshmen arriving this year. We do have good playmakers on the outside but will Mills have time in the pocket and does that run game have anything after this 2 year stretch of no push upfront.
Could be a 1 score or FG game near the half but ducks will put it out at the end. Stanford covers is my gut feeling though. We’ll see if the new faces on D make a difference.
By layman on 11.03.20 5:52am
Does Shaw still have it?
I’m more concerned about the mojo that Shaw may have squandered these last two years. Oregon will come in with an expectation to dominate. Has Shaw given that to Stanford? No player on the current roster has won the Pac-12. Stanford lost Little and Adebo and I saw an article that they also lost a fair number of graduate transfers.
Stanford (Shaw) needs to get back to playing smashmouth and these last two years, Shaw has seemingly abandoned that. If so, we aren’t going anywhere.
By Blackjoy on 11.03.20 12:11pm
Not Sure About Shaw Having It But....
…when two of your best players opt out and, for the second year in a row, there is a rush for the exits by grad transfers, Stanford may not have it.
Simply put, our roster is never deep enough to withstand this sort of attrition – even if we maintain a handful of playmakers.
This year will mean very little by itself, but it may extend the decline futher….impacting recruiting and future performance.
Regression to the mean, I fear, unless we can get back to turning 3 star players into 5 star impact starters, have an offensive coordinator and QB coach that is top 25 in the nation, and yes…..the mojo. #ShayneSkov
By hoyaparanoia on 11.03.20 8:11pm
I expect smash mouth will be back
I can’t imagine that all the weight the offensive linemen added is for any other reason than pounding the opposition. Almost all the linemen, offense and defense, are now over 300 pounds. Hopefully, most of that is muscle and not extra stay-at-home desserts. If it is, I expect to see a lot of runs straight up the pipe. If I’m right, then Oregon will pack the box and then the true test will be on for Mills.
By SU74 on 11.03.20 3:25pm
Agree
Smash-mouth has always been the Shaw preferred way to play. Well documented that last year was a change due to circumstance (injuries) and not choice. The run scheme depends on having experienced guys up front, doesn’t work with 3 true freshmen starting. Hopefully the run game comes back if the Senior/Sophmore combo of linemen can stay healthy. Speaking of which…
By NowBoy on 11.04.20 5:10am
What is going on with the injuries?
3 key injuries on defense already, one of which is a season-ending injury. And the list goes on from there to a number of players that were expected to play a significant role. And, 0 games have been played. The staff has downplayed the fact that injuries have gone up significantly after Turley was let go. Getting harder and harder to call that a coincidence. Any thoughts?
By NowBoy on 11.04.20 5:21am