[JeffInCorvallis]

Oregon 42 Stanford 31

Here's the deal:  I don't think we have much of a chance if Oregon scores more than 40.  Their defense is good (if depleted) and our offense really hasn't shown that much all year against good teams.  We need to control the ball and keep their quick-strike offense off the field as much as possible.  We also need to keep the pedal pressed: no lead is safe when the other team can score touchdowns in a minute.

One point in our favor:  We know how to win close games.  Every game we've been in has been close with the exception of Duke and K.al.  Two overtime games, won one, lost one.  We've been on the road at a loud Seattle (and lost miserably), hung right with N.otre D.ame at South Bend, and blew out that team across the Bay.  Oregon, on the other hand, has been playing teams like Arkansas State, with their only reasonably close game being at the Coliseum against the Trojans.  If we can manage to keep the game close into the 4th quarter they just might tighten up a bit, knowing that their MNC hopes are on the line. 

And David Shaw, if you are reading this, please, please, PLEASE don't let your team be surprised by an onside kick, two-point conversion, fake field goal, or fake punt.  Don't let your defensive unit be caught celebrating a 3rd down stop while they convert 4th down. 

[JeffInCorvallis]

Oregon 42 Stanford 31

Here's the deal:  I don't think we have much of a chance if Oregon scores more than 40.  Their defense is good (if depleted) and our offense really hasn't shown that much all year against good teams.  We need to control the ball and keep their quick-strike offense off the field as much as possible.  We also need to keep the pedal pressed: no lead is safe when the other team can score touchdowns in a minute.

One point in our favor:  We know how to win close games.  Every game we've been in has been close with the exception of Duke and K.al.  Two overtime games, won one, lost one.  We've been on the road at a loud Seattle (and lost miserably), hung right with N.otre D.ame at South Bend, and blew out that team across the Bay.  Oregon, on the other hand, has been playing teams like Arkansas State, with their only reasonably close game being at the Coliseum against the Trojans.  If we can manage to keep the game close into the 4th quarter they just might tighten up a bit, knowing that their MNC hopes are on the line. 

And David Shaw, if you are reading this, please, please, PLEASE don't let your team be surprised by an onside kick, two-point conversion, fake field goal, or fake punt.  Don't let your defensive unit be caught celebrating a 3rd down stop while they convert 4th down.