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Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks proved on Saturday night that they are the class of the PAC 12 North with their dominating victory over the Stanford Cardinal 45-16.

The Oregon Ducks just dominated from the opening whistle as they scored on their first four possessions of the game, and never looked back.

Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota was as precise as a brain surgeon on Saturday, as he led the Ducks with 258 yards passing and 85 yards on the ground.  Oregon rushed for 268 yards, and increased their record to 59-0 when rushing for over 240 yards.

Stanford came into the season as a contender for another PAC 12 title, but after suffering another devastating loss, they will be fighting just to become bowl eligible this season.

Here was the good, bad, and ugly from the game:

Good

Marcus Mariota – Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota was phenomenal on Saturday night as he led the Ducks offense up and down the field against the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.  Mariota put on a dazzling display with his ability to escape pressure, and drive the “Quack Attack” for multiple scores.  Mariota’s performance vaulted him to the top of many Heisman voter ballots as he has shown that the not only is he an athletic specimen, but also a great leader.

Oregon Offensive Line – The Ducks this season have been much maligned along the offensive line; but tonight they showed that when healthy, they are a talented group.  Stanford has been known to terrorize opposing offensive lines, and during the game barely could get any pressure on the Ducks.  Oregon will need the line to continue this outstanding play when the post season rolls around. 

Oregon Rush Attack – The statistics don’t lie, if the Ducks rush for over 240 yards as a team, they win.  Stanford was unable to bring down the Ducks top-flight runners as Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner had fantastic games.  Freeman and Tyner are bruising, straight ahead rushers that just bowled over the Cardinal.  Quarterback Marcus Mariota added another fine rushing performance with 85 yards and two touchdowns.

Devon Cajuste – One of the few bright spots for the Cardinal was the play of Wide Receiver Devon Cajuste.  The senior receiver had 5 receptions for 116 yards.  Cajuste was able to take advantage of the focus being placed on Ty Montgomery, and was able to keep the Cardinal in the game until the 4^th quarter.   

Bad

Stanford Tackling – Stanford came into the game with one of best defenses in all of college football, and left Autzen stadium a bruised and battered bunch.  Several times, Stanford had chances at the initial point of contact, but the Ducks were able to bounce off and gain more yards on every play.  Stanford was missing a few key pieces due to injury, but they were just unable to make any stops on Saturday night.

Kevin Hogan – Stanford Quarterback Kevin Hogan had a few bright spots, but his continued issues with taking care of the ball came back to bite the Cardinal on Saturday night.  Before this season, Hogan was 10-1 against top ranked opponents.   This year he is 0-3, and has not been able to lead his team at all against top opposition.  Stanford had several chances to get back into the game, but again, Hogan caused two turnovers deep in the offensive zone, and the Cardinal were unable to keep up with the Ducks.  Hogan has been highly erratic this season, and many are calling to see if Coach David Shaw will go with another man under center soon. 

Ugly

Stanford Red Zone Offense - The biggest Achilles heel for the Cardinal this season has been their conversions in the Red Zone.  The description of their Red Zone offense has gone from “ugly” to downright “atrocious”.  There is no way that a team can keep up with the likes of an Oregon offense when they trade field goals for touchdowns.  Stanford has now lost another game where they may have had a better chance if they were able to convert in the zone. 

Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks proved on Saturday night that they are the class of the PAC 12 North with their dominating victory over the Stanford Cardinal 45-16.

The Oregon Ducks just dominated from the opening whistle as they scored on their first four possessions of the game, and never looked back.

Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota was as precise as a brain surgeon on Saturday, as he led the Ducks with 258 yards passing and 85 yards on the ground.  Oregon rushed for 268 yards, and increased their record to 59-0 when rushing for over 240 yards.

Stanford came into the season as a contender for another PAC 12 title, but after suffering another devastating loss, they will be fighting just to become bowl eligible this season.

Here was the good, bad, and ugly from the game:

Good

Marcus Mariota – Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota was phenomenal on Saturday night as he led the Ducks offense up and down the field against the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.  Mariota put on a dazzling display with his ability to escape pressure, and drive the “Quack Attack” for multiple scores.  Mariota’s performance vaulted him to the top of many Heisman voter ballots as he has shown that the not only is he an athletic specimen, but also a great leader.

Oregon Offensive Line – The Ducks this season have been much maligned along the offensive line; but tonight they showed that when healthy, they are a talented group.  Stanford has been known to terrorize opposing offensive lines, and during the game barely could get any pressure on the Ducks.  Oregon will need the line to continue this outstanding play when the post season rolls around. 

Oregon Rush Attack – The statistics don’t lie, if the Ducks rush for over 240 yards as a team, they win.  Stanford was unable to bring down the Ducks top-flight runners as Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner had fantastic games.  Freeman and Tyner are bruising, straight ahead rushers that just bowled over the Cardinal.  Quarterback Marcus Mariota added another fine rushing performance with 85 yards and two touchdowns.

Devon Cajuste – One of the few bright spots for the Cardinal was the play of Wide Receiver Devon Cajuste.  The senior receiver had 5 receptions for 116 yards.  Cajuste was able to take advantage of the focus being placed on Ty Montgomery, and was able to keep the Cardinal in the game until the 4^th quarter.   

Bad

Stanford Tackling – Stanford came into the game with one of best defenses in all of college football, and left Autzen stadium a bruised and battered bunch.  Several times, Stanford had chances at the initial point of contact, but the Ducks were able to bounce off and gain more yards on every play.  Stanford was missing a few key pieces due to injury, but they were just unable to make any stops on Saturday night.

Kevin Hogan – Stanford Quarterback Kevin Hogan had a few bright spots, but his continued issues with taking care of the ball came back to bite the Cardinal on Saturday night.  Before this season, Hogan was 10-1 against top ranked opponents.   This year he is 0-3, and has not been able to lead his team at all against top opposition.  Stanford had several chances to get back into the game, but again, Hogan caused two turnovers deep in the offensive zone, and the Cardinal were unable to keep up with the Ducks.  Hogan has been highly erratic this season, and many are calling to see if Coach David Shaw will go with another man under center soon. 

Ugly

Stanford Red Zone Offense - The biggest Achilles heel for the Cardinal this season has been their conversions in the Red Zone.  The description of their Red Zone offense has gone from “ugly” to downright “atrocious”.  There is no way that a team can keep up with the likes of an Oregon offense when they trade field goals for touchdowns.  Stanford has now lost another game where they may have had a better chance if they were able to convert in the zone. 

Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks proved on Saturday night that they are the class of the PAC 12 North with their dominating victory over the Stanford Cardinal 45-16.

The Oregon Ducks just dominated from the opening whistle as they scored on their first four possessions of the game, and never looked back.

Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota was as precise as a brain surgeon on Saturday, as he led the Ducks with 258 yards passing and 85 yards on the ground.  Oregon rushed for 268 yards, and increased their record to 59-0 when rushing for over 240 yards.

Stanford came into the season as a contender for another PAC 12 title, but after suffering another devastating loss, they will be fighting just to become bowl eligible this season.

Here was the good, bad, and ugly from the game:

Good

Marcus Mariota – Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota was phenomenal on Saturday night as he led the Ducks offense up and down the field against the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.  Mariota put on a dazzling display with his ability to escape pressure, and drive the “Quack Attack” for multiple scores.  Mariota’s performance vaulted him to the top of many Heisman voter ballots as he has shown that the not only is he an athletic specimen, but also a great leader.

Oregon Offensive Line – The Ducks this season have been much maligned along the offensive line; but tonight they showed that when healthy, they are a talented group.  Stanford has been known to terrorize opposing offensive lines, and during the game barely could get any pressure on the Ducks.  Oregon will need the line to continue this outstanding play when the post season rolls around. 

Oregon Rush Attack – The statistics don’t lie, if the Ducks rush for over 240 yards as a team, they win.  Stanford was unable to bring down the Ducks top-flight runners as Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner had fantastic games.  Freeman and Tyner are bruising, straight ahead rushers that just bowled over the Cardinal.  Quarterback Marcus Mariota added another fine rushing performance with 85 yards and two touchdowns.

Devon Cajuste – One of the few bright spots for the Cardinal was the play of Wide Receiver Devon Cajuste.  The senior receiver had 5 receptions for 116 yards.  Cajuste was able to take advantage of the focus being placed on Ty Montgomery, and was able to keep the Cardinal in the game until the 4^th quarter.   

Bad

Stanford Tackling – Stanford came into the game with one of best defenses in all of college football, and left Autzen stadium a bruised and battered bunch.  Several times, Stanford had chances at the initial point of contact, but the Ducks were able to bounce off and gain more yards on every play.  Stanford was missing a few key pieces due to injury, but they were just unable to make any stops on Saturday night.

Kevin Hogan – Stanford Quarterback Kevin Hogan had a few bright spots, but his continued issues with taking care of the ball came back to bite the Cardinal on Saturday night.  Before this season, Hogan was 10-1 against top ranked opponents.   This year he is 0-3, and has not been able to lead his team at all against top opposition.  Stanford had several chances to get back into the game, but again, Hogan caused two turnovers deep in the offensive zone, and the Cardinal were unable to keep up with the Ducks.  Hogan has been highly erratic this season, and many are calling to see if Coach David Shaw will go with another man under center soon. 

Ugly

Stanford Red Zone Offense - The biggest Achilles heel for the Cardinal this season has been their conversions in the Red Zone.  The description of their Red Zone offense has gone from “ugly” to downright “atrocious”.  There is no way that a team can keep up with the likes of an Oregon offense when they trade field goals for touchdowns.  Stanford has now lost another game where they may have had a better chance if they were able to convert in the zone. 

Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks proved on Saturday night that they are the class of the PAC 12 North with their dominating victory over the Stanford Cardinal 45-16.

The Oregon Ducks just dominated from the opening whistle as they scored on their first four possessions of the game, and never looked back.

Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota was as precise as a brain surgeon on Saturday, as he led the Ducks with 258 yards passing and 85 yards on the ground.  Oregon rushed for 268 yards, and increased their record to 59-0 when rushing for over 240 yards.

Stanford came into the season as a contender for another PAC 12 title, but after suffering another devastating loss, they will be fighting just to become bowl eligible this season.

Here was the good, bad, and ugly from the game:

Good

Marcus Mariota – Oregon Ducks Quarterback Marcus Mariota was phenomenal on Saturday night as he led the Ducks offense up and down the field against the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.  Mariota put on a dazzling display with his ability to escape pressure, and drive the “Quack Attack” for multiple scores.  Mariota’s performance vaulted him to the top of many Heisman voter ballots as he has shown that the not only is he an athletic specimen, but also a great leader.

Oregon Offensive Line – The Ducks this season have been much maligned along the offensive line; but tonight they showed that when healthy, they are a talented group.  Stanford has been known to terrorize opposing offensive lines, and during the game barely could get any pressure on the Ducks.  Oregon will need the line to continue this outstanding play when the post season rolls around. 

Oregon Rush Attack – The statistics don’t lie, if the Ducks rush for over 240 yards as a team, they win.  Stanford was unable to bring down the Ducks top-flight runners as Royce Freeman and Thomas Tyner had fantastic games.  Freeman and Tyner are bruising, straight ahead rushers that just bowled over the Cardinal.  Quarterback Marcus Mariota added another fine rushing performance with 85 yards and two touchdowns.

Devon Cajuste – One of the few bright spots for the Cardinal was the play of Wide Receiver Devon Cajuste.  The senior receiver had 5 receptions for 116 yards.  Cajuste was able to take advantage of the focus being placed on Ty Montgomery, and was able to keep the Cardinal in the game until the 4^th quarter.   

Bad

Stanford Tackling – Stanford came into the game with one of best defenses in all of college football, and left Autzen stadium a bruised and battered bunch.  Several times, Stanford had chances at the initial point of contact, but the Ducks were able to bounce off and gain more yards on every play.  Stanford was missing a few key pieces due to injury, but they were just unable to make any stops on Saturday night.

Kevin Hogan – Stanford Quarterback Kevin Hogan had a few bright spots, but his continued issues with taking care of the ball came back to bite the Cardinal on Saturday night.  Before this season, Hogan was 10-1 against top ranked opponents.   This year he is 0-3, and has not been able to lead his team at all against top opposition.  Stanford had several chances to get back into the game, but again, Hogan caused two turnovers deep in the offensive zone, and the Cardinal were unable to keep up with the Ducks.  Hogan has been highly erratic this season, and many are calling to see if Coach David Shaw will go with another man under center soon. 

Ugly

Stanford Red Zone Offense - The biggest Achilles heel for the Cardinal this season has been their conversions in the Red Zone.  The description of their Red Zone offense has gone from “ugly” to downright “atrocious”.  There is no way that a team can keep up with the likes of an Oregon offense when they trade field goals for touchdowns.  Stanford has now lost another game where they may have had a better chance if they were able to convert in the zone. 

In the words of UFC Ring Announcer Bruce Buffer, “Its Time!” for the battle in the PAC 12 North between the Stanford Cardinal and the Oregon Ducks.

It is the “irresistible force” of the Oregon Ducks, against the “immovable object” of the Stanford Cardinal.

This season, Oregon has again showed that the Ducks are one of the top teams in the nation by racking up victories over well-named opponents with their “high-flying” offense.  The Ducks have dominated on the offensive side of the ball this season, and will have their stiffest test of the season with the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.

Stanford enters the contest with a sub-par record in their eyes, and the Cardinal are looking to make a statement that they still belong as an elite program in the PAC 12.  Stanford will need a solid performance on both sides of the ball if they are to have any chance at besting the Oregon “Quack Attack”.

Here are five things to watch for on Saturday night:

Can Stanford stop Marcus Mariota?  This season, Stanford has been exceptional on the defensive side of the ball, and is 2^nd in the nation in holding teams to an average of 12.5 points per game.  Stanford has not faced a talent like Quarterback Marcus Mariota yet, and this may prove to be a difference maker.  Mariota is a top tier talent, and barring any unforeseen issues, will be a top pick in the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft.  Mariota has tremendous arm strength, and has the ability to get outside of the pocket and make a play in a moments notice.  However, one thing has eluded Mariota, he has never beaten Stanford while under center for the Ducks.  He has lost two close contests, and last year seemed to be on his back for the bulk of the game.  Mariota has something to prove, and look for him to make a statement this week. 

Will the Offensive Line of Oregon hold up against the Cardinal Front Seven?  Oregon has been saddled with injuries along their offensive line since training camp.  Many were projecting that the Ducks were going to have their best Offensive Line in years, until the injury bug hit.  The Ducks have survived the injury bug for the most part, and are getting healthy along the line.  Oregon is led by Pre-Season All American Hroniss Grasu at Center, and have kept Marcus Mariota upright all season.  However, the Ducks have not faced a defensive front like the Cardinal, and will be tested from the opening drive by Seniors Henry Anderson and A.J. Tarpley.  This will be a great battle to watch on Saturday.

Can Stanford score in the Red Zone?  This season, the Achilles heel for the Cardinal has been their play inside the Red Zone.  To describe their play inside the Red Zone, one word comes to mind, “dreadful”.  In the past few years, Stanford prided themselves on strong play inside the Red Zone, and boasted one of the best touchdown percentages in all of college football.  This season, they have lost two games because of their mistakes in the Red Zone.  Stanford cannot have another bad game in the Red Zone, or they will not be able to keep up with the high-powered Ducks offense.

Will Special Teams be the deciding factor?  Oregon and Stanford have two of the most prolific return squads in all of college football.  Senior Ty Montgomery of Stanford has been nothing short of amazing while returning kicks this season.  Many professional scouts and coaches all say Montgomery will be exciting crowds on Sunday’s for years to come as a receiver and return man.  Oregon is led by Freshman Charles Nelson, who has brought the Ducks fans to their feet with several of his kick returns.  Both squads have the manpower to change a game with a return, and both could become the deciding factor.

Matchup of the week:  Ty Montgomery and Ifo Ekpre-Olumu – This week, the premier matchup will be two stars that will continue their battle after this week into the professional ranks with Stanford Wide Receiver Ty Montgomery and Oregon Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.  Montgomery has been a Swiss Army Knife for the Cardinal, and has been their main offensive threat all season.  Montgomery has the ability to change the game with the ball in his hands, and will be in for his most difficult test this season against the talented Ekpre-Olomu.  Ekpre-Olomu is a physical corner that does not shy away from contact.  Ekpre-Olomu is a true shutdown corner, and has been projected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL draft.  This matchup may turn out to be the key to the success of the Cardinal or the Ducks on Saturday.      

One thing is clear; Stanford Head Coach David Shaw will be in demand after the 2014 season at the professional and high profile collegiate level.

David Shaw was hired in 2011 after Jim Harbaugh helped rebuild the Stanford Cardinal football program to a perennial winner.  Shaw was able to build upon that success, and has continued to build one of the most respectable programs in all of college football. 

In his three years as the headman on “The Farm”, David Shaw has taken his Stanford Cardinal to three consecutive BCS bowl appearances, and back-to-back PAC 12 titles.  Shaw has been a calming influence, and is highly respected by all of his players, and alumni. 

Coach Shaw has constantly reiterated that he has no desire to move on from the Stanford program at this time; but if the right situation comes along, the Cardinal may be looking sooner than they would like to replace their head coach. 

If Coach Shaw was to leave, there would be a huge hole that would need to be filled, and here are five of the possible candidates that may be considered to take on the program.

In the words of UFC Ring Announcer Bruce Buffer, “Its Time!” for the battle in the PAC 12 North between the Stanford Cardinal and the Oregon Ducks.

It is the “irresistible force” of the Oregon Ducks, against the “immovable object” of the Stanford Cardinal.

This season, Oregon has again showed that the Ducks are one of the top teams in the nation by racking up victories over well-named opponents with their “high-flying” offense.  The Ducks have dominated on the offensive side of the ball this season, and will have their stiffest test of the season with the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.

Stanford enters the contest with a sub-par record in their eyes, and the Cardinal are looking to make a statement that they still belong as an elite program in the PAC 12.  Stanford will need a solid performance on both sides of the ball if they are to have any chance at besting the Oregon “Quack Attack”.

Here are five things to watch for on Saturday night:

Can Stanford stop Marcus Mariota?  This season, Stanford has been exceptional on the defensive side of the ball, and is 2^nd in the nation in holding teams to an average of 12.5 points per game.  Stanford has not faced a talent like Quarterback Marcus Mariota yet, and this may prove to be a difference maker.  Mariota is a top tier talent, and barring any unforeseen issues, will be a top pick in the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft.  Mariota has tremendous arm strength, and has the ability to get outside of the pocket and make a play in a moments notice.  However, one thing has eluded Mariota, he has never beaten Stanford while under center for the Ducks.  He has lost two close contests, and last year seemed to be on his back for the bulk of the game.  Mariota has something to prove, and look for him to make a statement this week. 

Will the Offensive Line of Oregon hold up against the Cardinal Front Seven?  Oregon has been saddled with injuries along their offensive line since training camp.  Many were projecting that the Ducks were going to have their best Offensive Line in years, until the injury bug hit.  The Ducks have survived the injury bug for the most part, and are getting healthy along the line.  Oregon is led by Pre-Season All American Hroniss Grasu at Center, and have kept Marcus Mariota upright all season.  However, the Ducks have not faced a defensive front like the Cardinal, and will be tested from the opening drive by Seniors Henry Anderson and A.J. Tarpley.  This will be a great battle to watch on Saturday.

Can Stanford score in the Red Zone?  This season, the Achilles heel for the Cardinal has been their play inside the Red Zone.  To describe their play inside the Red Zone, one word comes to mind, “dreadful”.  In the past few years, Stanford prided themselves on strong play inside the Red Zone, and boasted one of the best touchdown percentages in all of college football.  This season, they have lost two games because of their mistakes in the Red Zone.  Stanford cannot have another bad game in the Red Zone, or they will not be able to keep up with the high-powered Ducks offense.

Will Special Teams be the deciding factor?  Oregon and Stanford have two of the most prolific return squads in all of college football.  Senior Ty Montgomery of Stanford has been nothing short of amazing while returning kicks this season.  Many professional scouts and coaches all say Montgomery will be exciting crowds on Sunday’s for years to come as a receiver and return man.  Oregon is led by Freshman Charles Nelson, who has brought the Ducks fans to their feet with several of his kick returns.  Both squads have the manpower to change a game with a return, and both could become the deciding factor.

Matchup of the week:  Ty Montgomery and Ifo Ekpre-Olumu – This week, the premier matchup will be two stars that will continue their battle after this week into the professional ranks with Stanford Wide Receiver Ty Montgomery and Oregon Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.  Montgomery has been a Swiss Army Knife for the Cardinal, and has been their main offensive threat all season.  Montgomery has the ability to change the game with the ball in his hands, and will be in for his most difficult test this season against the talented Ekpre-Olomu.  Ekpre-Olomu is a physical corner that does not shy away from contact.  Ekpre-Olomu is a true shutdown corner, and has been projected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL draft.  This matchup may turn out to be the key to the success of the Cardinal or the Ducks on Saturday.      

One thing is clear; Stanford Head Coach David Shaw will be in demand after the 2014 season at the professional and high profile collegiate level.

David Shaw was hired in 2011 after Jim Harbaugh helped rebuild the Stanford Cardinal football program to a perennial winner.  Shaw was able to build upon that success, and has continued to build one of the most respectable programs in all of college football. 

In his three years as the headman on “The Farm”, David Shaw has taken his Stanford Cardinal to three consecutive BCS bowl appearances, and back-to-back PAC 12 titles.  Shaw has been a calming influence, and is highly respected by all of his players, and alumni. 

Coach Shaw has constantly reiterated that he has no desire to move on from the Stanford program at this time; but if the right situation comes along, the Cardinal may be looking sooner than they would like to replace their head coach. 

If Coach Shaw was to leave, there would be a huge hole that would need to be filled, and here are five of the possible candidates that may be considered to take on the program.

In the words of UFC Ring Announcer Bruce Buffer, “Its Time!” for the battle in the PAC 12 North between the Stanford Cardinal and the Oregon Ducks.

It is the “irresistible force” of the Oregon Ducks, against the “immovable object” of the Stanford Cardinal.

This season, Oregon has again showed that the Ducks are one of the top teams in the nation by racking up victories over well-named opponents with their “high-flying” offense.  The Ducks have dominated on the offensive side of the ball this season, and will have their stiffest test of the season with the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.

Stanford enters the contest with a sub-par record in their eyes, and the Cardinal are looking to make a statement that they still belong as an elite program in the PAC 12.  Stanford will need a solid performance on both sides of the ball if they are to have any chance at besting the Oregon “Quack Attack”.

Here are five things to watch for on Saturday night:

Can Stanford stop Marcus Mariota?  This season, Stanford has been exceptional on the defensive side of the ball, and is 2^nd in the nation in holding teams to an average of 12.5 points per game.  Stanford has not faced a talent like Quarterback Marcus Mariota yet, and this may prove to be a difference maker.  Mariota is a top tier talent, and barring any unforeseen issues, will be a top pick in the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft.  Mariota has tremendous arm strength, and has the ability to get outside of the pocket and make a play in a moments notice.  However, one thing has eluded Mariota, he has never beaten Stanford while under center for the Ducks.  He has lost two close contests, and last year seemed to be on his back for the bulk of the game.  Mariota has something to prove, and look for him to make a statement this week. 

Will the Offensive Line of Oregon hold up against the Cardinal Front Seven?  Oregon has been saddled with injuries along their offensive line since training camp.  Many were projecting that the Ducks were going to have their best Offensive Line in years, until the injury bug hit.  The Ducks have survived the injury bug for the most part, and are getting healthy along the line.  Oregon is led by Pre-Season All American Hroniss Grasu at Center, and have kept Marcus Mariota upright all season.  However, the Ducks have not faced a defensive front like the Cardinal, and will be tested from the opening drive by Seniors Henry Anderson and A.J. Tarpley.  This will be a great battle to watch on Saturday.

Can Stanford score in the Red Zone?  This season, the Achilles heel for the Cardinal has been their play inside the Red Zone.  To describe their play inside the Red Zone, one word comes to mind, “dreadful”.  In the past few years, Stanford prided themselves on strong play inside the Red Zone, and boasted one of the best touchdown percentages in all of college football.  This season, they have lost two games because of their mistakes in the Red Zone.  Stanford cannot have another bad game in the Red Zone, or they will not be able to keep up with the high-powered Ducks offense.

Will Special Teams be the deciding factor?  Oregon and Stanford have two of the most prolific return squads in all of college football.  Senior Ty Montgomery of Stanford has been nothing short of amazing while returning kicks this season.  Many professional scouts and coaches all say Montgomery will be exciting crowds on Sunday’s for years to come as a receiver and return man.  Oregon is led by Freshman Charles Nelson, who has brought the Ducks fans to their feet with several of his kick returns.  Both squads have the manpower to change a game with a return, and both could become the deciding factor.

Matchup of the week:  Ty Montgomery and Ifo Ekpre-Olumu – This week, the premier matchup will be two stars that will continue their battle after this week into the professional ranks with Stanford Wide Receiver Ty Montgomery and Oregon Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.  Montgomery has been a Swiss Army Knife for the Cardinal, and has been their main offensive threat all season.  Montgomery has the ability to change the game with the ball in his hands, and will be in for his most difficult test this season against the talented Ekpre-Olomu.  Ekpre-Olomu is a physical corner that does not shy away from contact.  Ekpre-Olomu is a true shutdown corner, and has been projected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL draft.  This matchup may turn out to be the key to the success of the Cardinal or the Ducks on Saturday.      

One thing is clear; Stanford Head Coach David Shaw will be in demand after the 2014 season at the professional and high profile collegiate level.

David Shaw was hired in 2011 after Jim Harbaugh helped rebuild the Stanford Cardinal football program to a perennial winner.  Shaw was able to build upon that success, and has continued to build one of the most respectable programs in all of college football. 

In his three years as the headman on “The Farm”, David Shaw has taken his Stanford Cardinal to three consecutive BCS bowl appearances, and back-to-back PAC 12 titles.  Shaw has been a calming influence, and is highly respected by all of his players, and alumni. 

Coach Shaw has constantly reiterated that he has no desire to move on from the Stanford program at this time; but if the right situation comes along, the Cardinal may be looking sooner than they would like to replace their head coach. 

If Coach Shaw was to leave, there would be a huge hole that would need to be filled, and here are five of the possible candidates that may be considered to take on the program.

In the words of UFC Ring Announcer Bruce Buffer, “Its Time!” for the battle in the PAC 12 North between the Stanford Cardinal and the Oregon Ducks.

It is the “irresistible force” of the Oregon Ducks, against the “immovable object” of the Stanford Cardinal.

This season, Oregon has again showed that the Ducks are one of the top teams in the nation by racking up victories over well-named opponents with their “high-flying” offense.  The Ducks have dominated on the offensive side of the ball this season, and will have their stiffest test of the season with the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.

Stanford enters the contest with a sub-par record in their eyes, and the Cardinal are looking to make a statement that they still belong as an elite program in the PAC 12.  Stanford will need a solid performance on both sides of the ball if they are to have any chance at besting the Oregon “Quack Attack”.

Here are five things to watch for on Saturday night:

Can Stanford stop Marcus Mariota?  This season, Stanford has been exceptional on the defensive side of the ball, and is 2^nd in the nation in holding teams to an average of 12.5 points per game.  Stanford has not faced a talent like Quarterback Marcus Mariota yet, and this may prove to be a difference maker.  Mariota is a top tier talent, and barring any unforeseen issues, will be a top pick in the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft.  Mariota has tremendous arm strength, and has the ability to get outside of the pocket and make a play in a moments notice.  However, one thing has eluded Mariota, he has never beaten Stanford while under center for the Ducks.  He has lost two close contests, and last year seemed to be on his back for the bulk of the game.  Mariota has something to prove, and look for him to make a statement this week. 

Will the Offensive Line of Oregon hold up against the Cardinal Front Seven?  Oregon has been saddled with injuries along their offensive line since training camp.  Many were projecting that the Ducks were going to have their best Offensive Line in years, until the injury bug hit.  The Ducks have survived the injury bug for the most part, and are getting healthy along the line.  Oregon is led by Pre-Season All American Hroniss Grasu at Center, and have kept Marcus Mariota upright all season.  However, the Ducks have not faced a defensive front like the Cardinal, and will be tested from the opening drive by Seniors Henry Anderson and A.J. Tarpley.  This will be a great battle to watch on Saturday.

Can Stanford score in the Red Zone?  This season, the Achilles heel for the Cardinal has been their play inside the Red Zone.  To describe their play inside the Red Zone, one word comes to mind, “dreadful”.  In the past few years, Stanford prided themselves on strong play inside the Red Zone, and boasted one of the best touchdown percentages in all of college football.  This season, they have lost two games because of their mistakes in the Red Zone.  Stanford cannot have another bad game in the Red Zone, or they will not be able to keep up with the high-powered Ducks offense.

Will Special Teams be the deciding factor?  Oregon and Stanford have two of the most prolific return squads in all of college football.  Senior Ty Montgomery of Stanford has been nothing short of amazing while returning kicks this season.  Many professional scouts and coaches all say Montgomery will be exciting crowds on Sunday’s for years to come as a receiver and return man.  Oregon is led by Freshman Charles Nelson, who has brought the Ducks fans to their feet with several of his kick returns.  Both squads have the manpower to change a game with a return, and both could become the deciding factor.

Matchup of the week:  Ty Montgomery and Ifo Ekpre-Olumu – This week, the premier matchup will be two stars that will continue their battle after this week into the professional ranks with Stanford Wide Receiver Ty Montgomery and Oregon Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.  Montgomery has been a Swiss Army Knife for the Cardinal, and has been their main offensive threat all season.  Montgomery has the ability to change the game with the ball in his hands, and will be in for his most difficult test this season against the talented Ekpre-Olomu.  Ekpre-Olomu is a physical corner that does not shy away from contact.  Ekpre-Olomu is a true shutdown corner, and has been projected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL draft.  This matchup may turn out to be the key to the success of the Cardinal or the Ducks on Saturday.      

One thing is clear; Stanford Head Coach David Shaw will be in demand after the 2014 season at the professional and high profile collegiate level.

David Shaw was hired in 2011 after Jim Harbaugh helped rebuild the Stanford Cardinal football program to a perennial winner.  Shaw was able to build upon that success, and has continued to build one of the most respectable programs in all of college football. 

In his three years as the headman on “The Farm”, David Shaw has taken his Stanford Cardinal to three consecutive BCS bowl appearances, and back-to-back PAC 12 titles.  Shaw has been a calming influence, and is highly respected by all of his players, and alumni. 

Coach Shaw has constantly reiterated that he has no desire to move on from the Stanford program at this time; but if the right situation comes along, the Cardinal may be looking sooner than they would like to replace their head coach. 

If Coach Shaw was to leave, there would be a huge hole that would need to be filled, and here are five of the possible candidates that may be considered to take on the program.

In the words of UFC Ring Announcer Bruce Buffer, “Its Time!” for the battle in the PAC 12 North between the Stanford Cardinal and the Oregon Ducks.

It is the “irresistible force” of the Oregon Ducks, against the “immovable object” of the Stanford Cardinal.

This season, Oregon has again showed that the Ducks are one of the top teams in the nation by racking up victories over well-named opponents with their “high-flying” offense.  The Ducks have dominated on the offensive side of the ball this season, and will have their stiffest test of the season with the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.

Stanford enters the contest with a sub-par record in their eyes, and the Cardinal are looking to make a statement that they still belong as an elite program in the PAC 12.  Stanford will need a solid performance on both sides of the ball if they are to have any chance at besting the Oregon “Quack Attack”.

Here are five things to watch for on Saturday night:

Can Stanford stop Marcus Mariota?  This season, Stanford has been exceptional on the defensive side of the ball, and is 2^nd in the nation in holding teams to an average of 12.5 points per game.  Stanford has not faced a talent like Quarterback Marcus Mariota yet, and this may prove to be a difference maker.  Mariota is a top tier talent, and barring any unforeseen issues, will be a top pick in the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft.  Mariota has tremendous arm strength, and has the ability to get outside of the pocket and make a play in a moments notice.  However, one thing has eluded Mariota, he has never beaten Stanford while under center for the Ducks.  He has lost two close contests, and last year seemed to be on his back for the bulk of the game.  Mariota has something to prove, and look for him to make a statement this week. 

Will the Offensive Line of Oregon hold up against the Cardinal Front Seven?  Oregon has been saddled with injuries along their offensive line since training camp.  Many were projecting that the Ducks were going to have their best Offensive Line in years, until the injury bug hit.  The Ducks have survived the injury bug for the most part, and are getting healthy along the line.  Oregon is led by Pre-Season All American Hroniss Grasu at Center, and have kept Marcus Mariota upright all season.  However, the Ducks have not faced a defensive front like the Cardinal, and will be tested from the opening drive by Seniors Henry Anderson and A.J. Tarpley.  This will be a great battle to watch on Saturday.

Can Stanford score in the Red Zone?  This season, the Achilles heel for the Cardinal has been their play inside the Red Zone.  To describe their play inside the Red Zone, one word comes to mind, “dreadful”.  In the past few years, Stanford prided themselves on strong play inside the Red Zone, and boasted one of the best touchdown percentages in all of college football.  This season, they have lost two games because of their mistakes in the Red Zone.  Stanford cannot have another bad game in the Red Zone, or they will not be able to keep up with the high-powered Ducks offense.

Will Special Teams be the deciding factor?  Oregon and Stanford have two of the most prolific return squads in all of college football.  Senior Ty Montgomery of Stanford has been nothing short of amazing while returning kicks this season.  Many professional scouts and coaches all say Montgomery will be exciting crowds on Sunday’s for years to come as a receiver and return man.  Oregon is led by Freshman Charles Nelson, who has brought the Ducks fans to their feet with several of his kick returns.  Both squads have the manpower to change a game with a return, and both could become the deciding factor.

Matchup of the week:  Ty Montgomery and Ifo Ekpre-Olumu – This week, the premier matchup will be two stars that will continue their battle after this week into the professional ranks with Stanford Wide Receiver Ty Montgomery and Oregon Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.  Montgomery has been a Swiss Army Knife for the Cardinal, and has been their main offensive threat all season.  Montgomery has the ability to change the game with the ball in his hands, and will be in for his most difficult test this season against the talented Ekpre-Olomu.  Ekpre-Olomu is a physical corner that does not shy away from contact.  Ekpre-Olomu is a true shutdown corner, and has been projected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL draft.  This matchup may turn out to be the key to the success of the Cardinal or the Ducks on Saturday.      

One thing is clear; Stanford Head Coach David Shaw will be in demand after the 2014 season at the professional and high profile collegiate level.

David Shaw was hired in 2011 after Jim Harbaugh helped rebuild the Stanford Cardinal football program to a perennial winner.  Shaw was able to build upon that success, and has continued to build one of the most respectable programs in all of college football. 

In his three years as the headman on “The Farm”, David Shaw has taken his Stanford Cardinal to three consecutive BCS bowl appearances, and back-to-back PAC 12 titles.  Shaw has been a calming influence, and is highly respected by all of his players, and alumni. 

Coach Shaw has constantly reiterated that he has no desire to move on from the Stanford program at this time; but if the right situation comes along, the Cardinal may be looking sooner than they would like to replace their head coach. 

If Coach Shaw was to leave, there would be a huge hole that would need to be filled, and here are five of the possible candidates that may be considered to take on the program.

In the words of UFC Ring Announcer Bruce Buffer, “Its Time!” for the battle in the PAC 12 North between the Stanford Cardinal and the Oregon Ducks.

It is the “irresistible force” of the Oregon Ducks, against the “immovable object” of the Stanford Cardinal.

This season, Oregon has again showed that the Ducks are one of the top teams in the nation by racking up victories over well-named opponents with their “high-flying” offense.  The Ducks have dominated on the offensive side of the ball this season, and will have their stiffest test of the season with the vaunted Stanford Cardinal defense.

Stanford enters the contest with a sub-par record in their eyes, and the Cardinal are looking to make a statement that they still belong as an elite program in the PAC 12.  Stanford will need a solid performance on both sides of the ball if they are to have any chance at besting the Oregon “Quack Attack”.

Here are five things to watch for on Saturday night:

Can Stanford stop Marcus Mariota?  This season, Stanford has been exceptional on the defensive side of the ball, and is 2^nd in the nation in holding teams to an average of 12.5 points per game.  Stanford has not faced a talent like Quarterback Marcus Mariota yet, and this may prove to be a difference maker.  Mariota is a top tier talent, and barring any unforeseen issues, will be a top pick in the upcoming 2015 NFL Draft.  Mariota has tremendous arm strength, and has the ability to get outside of the pocket and make a play in a moments notice.  However, one thing has eluded Mariota, he has never beaten Stanford while under center for the Ducks.  He has lost two close contests, and last year seemed to be on his back for the bulk of the game.  Mariota has something to prove, and look for him to make a statement this week. 

Will the Offensive Line of Oregon hold up against the Cardinal Front Seven?  Oregon has been saddled with injuries along their offensive line since training camp.  Many were projecting that the Ducks were going to have their best Offensive Line in years, until the injury bug hit.  The Ducks have survived the injury bug for the most part, and are getting healthy along the line.  Oregon is led by Pre-Season All American Hroniss Grasu at Center, and have kept Marcus Mariota upright all season.  However, the Ducks have not faced a defensive front like the Cardinal, and will be tested from the opening drive by Seniors Henry Anderson and A.J. Tarpley.  This will be a great battle to watch on Saturday.

Can Stanford score in the Red Zone?  This season, the Achilles heel for the Cardinal has been their play inside the Red Zone.  To describe their play inside the Red Zone, one word comes to mind, “dreadful”.  In the past few years, Stanford prided themselves on strong play inside the Red Zone, and boasted one of the best touchdown percentages in all of college football.  This season, they have lost two games because of their mistakes in the Red Zone.  Stanford cannot have another bad game in the Red Zone, or they will not be able to keep up with the high-powered Ducks offense.

Will Special Teams be the deciding factor?  Oregon and Stanford have two of the most prolific return squads in all of college football.  Senior Ty Montgomery of Stanford has been nothing short of amazing while returning kicks this season.  Many professional scouts and coaches all say Montgomery will be exciting crowds on Sunday’s for years to come as a receiver and return man.  Oregon is led by Freshman Charles Nelson, who has brought the Ducks fans to their feet with several of his kick returns.  Both squads have the manpower to change a game with a return, and both could become the deciding factor.

Matchup of the week:  Ty Montgomery and Ifo Ekpre-Olumu – This week, the premier matchup will be two stars that will continue their battle after this week into the professional ranks with Stanford Wide Receiver Ty Montgomery and Oregon Cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu.  Montgomery has been a Swiss Army Knife for the Cardinal, and has been their main offensive threat all season.  Montgomery has the ability to change the game with the ball in his hands, and will be in for his most difficult test this season against the talented Ekpre-Olomu.  Ekpre-Olomu is a physical corner that does not shy away from contact.  Ekpre-Olomu is a true shutdown corner, and has been projected to be a top pick in the upcoming NFL draft.  This matchup may turn out to be the key to the success of the Cardinal or the Ducks on Saturday.      

One thing is clear; Stanford Head Coach David Shaw will be in demand after the 2014 season at the professional and high profile collegiate level.

David Shaw was hired in 2011 after Jim Harbaugh helped rebuild the Stanford Cardinal football program to a perennial winner.  Shaw was able to build upon that success, and has continued to build one of the most respectable programs in all of college football. 

In his three years as the headman on “The Farm”, David Shaw has taken his Stanford Cardinal to three consecutive BCS bowl appearances, and back-to-back PAC 12 titles.  Shaw has been a calming influence, and is highly respected by all of his players, and alumni. 

Coach Shaw has constantly reiterated that he has no desire to move on from the Stanford program at this time; but if the right situation comes along, the Cardinal may be looking sooner than they would like to replace their head coach. 

If Coach Shaw was to leave, there would be a huge hole that would need to be filled, and here are five of the possible candidates that may be considered to take on the program.

The battle in the desert turned into a one sided affair as the Arizona State Sun Devils shut down the Stanford Cardinal, 26-10.

The Sun Devils had lost to the Cardinal in their previous five meetings, and not one player on the Arizona State roster had ever experienced a win over the Stanford Cardinal. 

Arizona State came out strong, and controlled the clock from the opening whistle.  Stanford just never seemed to be in sync the entire game as Arizona State dominated the line of scrimmage. 

Sun Devils Head Coach Todd Graham had a quandary before the game, as experienced Quarterback Taylor Kelly was able to play after being injured the past few weeks, but decided to go with the hot hand of Junior Mike Bercovici.  This paid off for Arizona State as Bercovici made all the right plays, and led the Sun Devils to victory.

Here was the Good, Bad, and Ugly of the game:

The Good 

Mike Bercovici – The back-up Quarterback played a phenomenal game on Saturday night as he made all of the right plays to keep the tough Stanford defense off balance, and led the Sun Devils to victory.  Bercovici did not have the biggest statistical night, but when a first down was needed, it just seemed the Bercovici was always able to get that extra distance to keep the drive alive.  Bercovici has played extremely well in place of Taylor Kelly, and some are even starting to point towards a Quarterback controversy over who may be the best option under center for ASU.

DJ Foster – Junior Running Back DJ Foster was a dominant force on offense for the Sun Devils as he was all over the field on Saturday night.  Foster had 151 yards from scrimmage, and caused a constant headache for the Stanford defense.  Foster was coming off a few weeks were he was never able to gain much yardage, but under the bright lights in Tempe, the cream rose to the top.  Foster has tremendous skills, and has the ability to take over any game.  Look for Foster to be a major piece for the Sun Devils as they drive towards a possible PAC 12 title game.

Blake Martinez – The only bright spot for the Cardinal on Saturday night was the strong play of Junior Linebacker Blake Martinez.  As a native son of Arizona, Martinez was riled up to play against the Sun Devils who did not recruit him out of high school.  Martinez had a sack and was in on several tackles to lead the Cardinal on the defensive side of the ball. 

Arizona State Front Seven – The College Football world has been raving about the front seven of the Stanford Cardinal, but tonight that designation belonged to the Arizona State Sun Devils.  The defensive front of the Sun Devils dominated the line of scrimmage and held the Cardinal to a season low 76 yards rushing. 

The Bad

Stanford Offensive Strategy – Stanford Head Coach David Shaw has always been known to employ a conservative offensive approach, but this week was beyond conservative and it cost the Cardinal.  Stanford does not hide the fact that they have a run first approach, but this year, Stanford does not have a “Bell Cow” Running Back that can just take over a game.  This is a major hindrance for the Cardinal, as Quarterback Kevin Hogan just does not have the ability to take over a game with his arm.  Stanford did have several injuries going into the game, but that does not excuse the poor play on the offensive side of the ball.

Stanford’s Running Back Blocking Issues – Again, Stanford had major issues with its Running Backs picking up the blitz on Saturday evening.  Three separate times, Quarterback Kevin Hogan was on his back because the Running Back could not pick up the blitzing defender.  This issue caused the Cardinal to be moved out of scoring range twice, and the third time just killed a promising drive.  Last week, Coach Shaw stated that there was a focus on the blitz pick up in practice, but was soon forgotten this week. 

The Ugly

Stanford Special Teams Turnovers – The strength of the Stanford Cardinal turned into a negative for the team as return men Ty Montgomery and Christian McCaffrey both fumbled the ball on key returns.  Montgomery just seemed to be in a funk the entire game, and his fumble on the 10-yard line put the Cardinal down two scores late in the first half, and the Sun Devils never looked back.  The Sun Devils were known to have the worst special teams coverage in the PAC 12, but dominated tonight, and were a key factor for the Arizona State victory. 

The battle in the desert turned into a one sided affair as the Arizona State Sun Devils shut down the Stanford Cardinal, 26-10.

The Sun Devils had lost to the Cardinal in their previous five meetings, and not one player on the Arizona State roster had ever experienced a win over the Stanford Cardinal. 

Arizona State came out strong, and controlled the clock from the opening whistle.  Stanford just never seemed to be in sync the entire game as Arizona State dominated the line of scrimmage. 

Sun Devils Head Coach Todd Graham had a quandary before the game, as experienced Quarterback Taylor Kelly was able to play after being injured the past few weeks, but decided to go with the hot hand of Junior Mike Bercovici.  This paid off for Arizona State as Bercovici made all the right plays, and led the Sun Devils to victory.

Here was the Good, Bad, and Ugly of the game:

The Good 

Mike Bercovici – The back-up Quarterback played a phenomenal game on Saturday night as he made all of the right plays to keep the tough Stanford defense off balance, and led the Sun Devils to victory.  Bercovici did not have the biggest statistical night, but when a first down was needed, it just seemed the Bercovici was always able to get that extra distance to keep the drive alive.  Bercovici has played extremely well in place of Taylor Kelly, and some are even starting to point towards a Quarterback controversy over who may be the best option under center for ASU.

DJ Foster – Junior Running Back DJ Foster was a dominant force on offense for the Sun Devils as he was all over the field on Saturday night.  Foster had 151 yards from scrimmage, and caused a constant headache for the Stanford defense.  Foster was coming off a few weeks were he was never able to gain much yardage, but under the bright lights in Tempe, the cream rose to the top.  Foster has tremendous skills, and has the ability to take over any game.  Look for Foster to be a major piece for the Sun Devils as they drive towards a possible PAC 12 title game.

Blake Martinez – The only bright spot for the Cardinal on Saturday night was the strong play of Junior Linebacker Blake Martinez.  As a native son of Arizona, Martinez was riled up to play against the Sun Devils who did not recruit him out of high school.  Martinez had a sack and was in on several tackles to lead the Cardinal on the defensive side of the ball. 

Arizona State Front Seven – The College Football world has been raving about the front seven of the Stanford Cardinal, but tonight that designation belonged to the Arizona State Sun Devils.  The defensive front of the Sun Devils dominated the line of scrimmage and held the Cardinal to a season low 76 yards rushing. 

The Bad

Stanford Offensive Strategy – Stanford Head Coach David Shaw has always been known to employ a conservative offensive approach, but this week was beyond conservative and it cost the Cardinal.  Stanford does not hide the fact that they have a run first approach, but this year, Stanford does not have a “Bell Cow” Running Back that can just take over a game.  This is a major hindrance for the Cardinal, as Quarterback Kevin Hogan just does not have the ability to take over a game with his arm.  Stanford did have several injuries going into the game, but that does not excuse the poor play on the offensive side of the ball.

Stanford’s Running Back Blocking Issues – Again, Stanford had major issues with its Running Backs picking up the blitz on Saturday evening.  Three separate times, Quarterback Kevin Hogan was on his back because the Running Back could not pick up the blitzing defender.  This issue caused the Cardinal to be moved out of scoring range twice, and the third time just killed a promising drive.  Last week, Coach Shaw stated that there was a focus on the blitz pick up in practice, but was soon forgotten this week. 

The Ugly

Stanford Special Teams Turnovers – The strength of the Stanford Cardinal turned into a negative for the team as return men Ty Montgomery and Christian McCaffrey both fumbled the ball on key returns.  Montgomery just seemed to be in a funk the entire game, and his fumble on the 10-yard line put the Cardinal down two scores late in the first half, and the Sun Devils never looked back.  The Sun Devils were known to have the worst special teams coverage in the PAC 12, but dominated tonight, and were a key factor for the Arizona State victory. 

On Saturday night, the battle between the 17^th ranked Arizona State Sun Devils and the 23^rd ranked Stanford Cardinal will be an old school, knock down brawl between two powerful programs out west.

The game is a rematch from the 2013 PAC 12 Championship game where Stanford prevailed on the home turf of the Sun Devils 42-28, and earned their 2^nd consecutive Rose Bowl bid.

Not much as changed this season, as both programs are playing at a high level and are looking to continue on their paths towards another chance at a PAC 12 title game.  Stanford has the top defense in the country, and the Sun Devils still can move the ball on offense at a high success rate.  This will be a war of contrasting styles, and should be one of the more entertaining games to watch on Saturday.

Here are the five things to watch:

Sun Devils QB Quandary:  Arizona State Head Coach Todd Graham has intimated that he plans on using a two Quarterback system with Junior Mike Bercovici getting the bulk of the snaps.  Bercovici deserves the right to get the chance to start after his outstanding performance last week by leading the Sun Devils over the USC Trojans. Bercovici threw for over 510 yards and five scores this past weekend, and Coach Graham was highly impressed with Bercovici’s poise under the bright lights.  This will be a huge test for Bercovici as Stanford has been dominant to start the season on the defensive side of the ball, led by Free Safety Zach Hoffpauir.

Arizona State Offensive Line versus the Stanford “Front Seven”:  Last week, the offensive line for the Sun Devils played their best game of the season against a USC Trojans defensive front that included All American Defensive End Leonard Williams.  This week, the Sun Devils will have a major test in trying to contain the front seven of the Stanford Cardinal as Senior Nose Tackle David Parry, and Senior Defensive End Henry Anderson have be spectacular so far this season.  The Sun Devils will be in for a fight this weekend, and if they are able to keep their young Quarterback upright, they will have a chance at victory.

Stanford Red Zone Issues:  To say that the Stanford Cardinal are having issues in the Red Zone is an understatement.  The Cardinal rank in the bottom 10% in Red Zone efficiency, and this inefficiency has cost the Cardinal two victories that were well within their grasp.  Stanford needs to clean this up if they are to have any chance against a young and hungry Sun Devils squad.

Special Teams may determine the game:  The Stanford Cardinal has one of the most exciting return men in the game with Senior Ty Montgomery.  Montgomery can break open the game with the ball in his hands, and can easily be a difference maker.  The Sun Devils will have to be well aware of any time that Montgomery is on the field as he has the ability to take it to the end zone at a moment’s notice.  The Sun Devils have not been successful at containing return men to start off the season, and will be tasked with containing one of the best in the nation. 

Coaching:  Arizona State Head Coach Todd Graham and Stanford Coach David Shaw have contrasting coaching styles to say the least.  Coach David Shaw has been known to be reserved on the sideline, and exhibits few instances of high emotion, while Coach Graham is highly energetic, and known to do whatever it takes to fire up his team.  Both coaches however are the same as they emphasize the fundamentals of the game, and to be disciplined on the field.  This year has been uncharacteristic of a David Shaw led team, as they have been penalized more this year than almost all of last year, and Shaw takes the blame.  Shaw has been adamant recently in practice about getting back to the basics, and being smart on the field.  Coach Graham has had to deal with injuries to his top Quarterback, but has kept his team focused and playing at a top level.  One thing is for certain, both coaches will have their teams prepared for the battle in Tempe. 

The battle on Friday night between the 25^th ranked Stanford Cardinal and the Washington State Cougars was a test of wills; in the end, the Cardinal had the stronger resolve as they toppled the Cougars 34-17.

The Washington State Cougars came to Palo Alto, CA with their “Air Raid” offense led by Senior Connor Halliday.  Last weekend, Halliday threw for an NCAA record 734 yards.  This weekend was a different story as the Cougars were outgained by the Cardinal 477 to 266 yards from scrimmage on Friday night, and were held to season low totals in passing and rushing.  The Cougars were stymied by the vaunted Cardinal defense, and just never seemed to get into a rhythm throughout the game. 

Stanford came into the contest suffering a heartbreaking loss last weekend to Notre Dame, and looked to prove that last week was history.  The Cardinal came out strong on both sides of the ball on Friday night and proved that they are still hungry for a possible PAC 12 title.

Here was the Good, Bad, and Ugly from the game:

Good

Zach Hoffpauir – Stanford’s multi-sport star had his best game of the year as he led the Cardinal with 15 tackles, and was dominant in the disrupting the Cougars passing game. The Junior Strong Safety seemed to be in on every play, and was key to the Cardinal success on the Defensive side of the ball. 

David Parry – The Senior Nose Tackle for Stanford was a stalwart along the defensive front registering a sack and 4 hurries on Cougars Quarterback Connor Halliday.  Parry was shedding the Cougars blockers with ease, and was a force to be reckoned with along the line.  Parry is fast making a name for himself as a top prospect for the next level with his constant motor, and his ability to make the big play.

Stanford Running Backs – This week was a completely different story for the Cardinal rushing attack as the three headed monster of Remound Wright, Barry Sanders, and Christian McCaffrey put in a tremendous performance as they rushed for a combined 195 yards from scrimmage.  After the game, Stanford Coach Shaw praised the work of his runners not only with their yardage totals, but their blocking and protection of Quarterback Kevin Hogan as that had been a main concern for the Cardinal early in the season.  If Stanford is able to get their running game off the ground, they will be very successful for the rest of the season.

Cougars Defensive Front Seven – Washington State was embarrassed last weekend at home against Cal as they gave up 70 points and 589 yards of offense.  This week, the Cougars made a concerted effort to try and attack Stanford Quarterback Kevin Hogan, and were able to put in a much better showing in comparison to last week.  The Cougars played physical up front, and pressured the Cardinal the entire game.  The Cougars will need to keep this style of play if they are to have any chance the rest of this season.

Bad

Stanford Red Zone Struggles – This is becoming a broken record as Stanford again had struggles in the Red Zone.  Again, Stanford had multiple opportunities to put points on the board against the Cougars and came up empty.  On the first drive of the game, they drove to the 3-yard line, and were unable to cross the goal line.  Another drive, Senior Patrick Skov tried to reach the ball across the plain and fumbled the ball at the goal line.  A third and most frustrating Red Zone possession was at the end of the half, the Cardinal had two holding penalties, and another wide right field goal attempt that left the Cardinal with zero points.  The statistics show that a team should score at least 3 points on every red zone trip, and score a touchdown 2 out of every 3 times in the zone.  The Cardinal are well below the average, and will need to shore this up for future games. 

Penalties – Stanford and Washington State committed several egregious penalties that just destroyed attempts at moving the ball and creating any sense of rhythm.  Stanford had several drives halted due to holding penalties, and even lost points off the board due to several brain freeze penalties.  Washington State also had several penalties that just backed the team out from scoring position, and were never able to recover.  After the game, Stanford Head Coach David Shaw pointed out that penalties are something that can be fixed, and will be addressed by the team prior to next weeks contest against Arizona State.

Ugly

Washington State Special Teams – After last week’s Special Teams debacle by the Cougars, Head Coach Mike Leach dismissed his Special Teams Coordinator, and placed assistant Eric Mele in charge.  This week was not any better as the Cougars play on special teams was just as dreadful.  There were several penalties, punts were not covered well, two kickoffs went extremely short, and Stanford playmaker Ty Montgomery was just one step away from breaking for a touchdown on two separate returns.  The only bright spot was Cougars Place Kicker Quentin Breshears made a 46-yard field goal that was not even defended by the Stanford Defense.  The Cougars are well aware that their Special Teams play is putting them in a hole, and there is no light at the end of this tunnel.