Oregon/Stanford Preview

Fourth of July
Originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

Well unless there is a major upset in the actual Pac 12 Championship game today's game in Palo Alto will crown the Pac 12 champion and the winner will at worst find themselves in the Rose Bowl. Since spring practice ended I've liked Stanford to win this game but with the losses they sustained at TE and WR in the last few weeks my thinking has switched to an Oregon victory. The Ducks defense have found their footing and are playing quite well on a yard per play average. The Ducks are forcing a lot of three and outs and the offense is coming back and scoring the next drive - that is deadly. Everyone knows this will be a game of contrasting styles - of speed versus strength and option spread versus power sets. Both of these teams can really execute well on both sides of the ball and make few mistakes, the winning team will likely be the one who's defense can make a stop in the fourth quarter when both squads should be gassed. Health wise Oregon is in better shape than Stanford though the Ducks will likely again be lacking Anthony Gildon at cornerback. Stanford on the other hand is missing Ertz and likely Levine Toilolo as well. In addition Chris Owusu Stanford's fastest offensive player will be out. Andrew Luck will still have all of his backs available plus Coby Fleener and Ryan Whalen but this is clearly a diminished corps from what they had been bringing out earlier in the season. I look for Nick Allioti to bring a lot of pressure on Luck and to mix things up a bunch by dropping his defensive ends in to coverage from time to time. Stanford has been great against the run all year but I think Oregon will be able to get their typical 250-300 yards yet again. I think Chip throws the entire kitchen sink at Stanford and you may even see some sets with James, Barner and DAT all on the field at the same time. Luck may be getting all the press but if Darron Thomas can play an efficient game and have his completion percentage in the high 60's and not make any big mistakes it should put Oregon over the top. In a game that will be an ESPN Instant Classic I like the Ducks to prevail 38-34.