[washingtonismoney]

This is a really hard game to figure out. Part of the problem is figuring out the season. Do you think:
1) The last two games were a lull, and the two games before (when Stanford looked -- statistically and to the eye -- like a legitimate top 10, 5 team) were the real team?
2) That in fact the UW game was the lull and statistically Stanford played decently against Utah but had untimely miscues that don't affect your overall opinion of the team?
3) That for some reason UW and Utah present bad matchups for Stanford?
4) That random chance intervened and even a really good team will slip up against a tough schedule most of the time? (i.e. that people are fooled by randomness?)
5) That the UW and Utah games portend doom for Stanford?
6) That the UW and Utah games present problems for Stanford but ones that coaches and players can and will adjust?

Statistically the team is better this year than last, at least according to most metrics I've seen; but then again, UCLA is probably much better this year than last. I'm still troubled by the inability to adjust to that flanker motion, especially since UCLA uses it so frequently. I really have no idea what will happen, and it seems like pickers feel the same way -- I'd guess a 50/50 split, and Vegas's opening line of -7 has been bet down to -4.5, a significant drop.

Stanford 27
UCLA 24

(But I have a bad feeling about this game.)

[washingtonismoney]

This is a really hard game to figure out. Part of the problem is figuring out the season. Do you think:
1) The last two games were a lull, and the two games before (when Stanford looked -- statistically and to the eye -- like a legitimate top 10, 5 team) were the real team?
2) That in fact the UW game was the lull and statistically Stanford played decently against Utah but had untimely miscues that don't affect your overall opinion of the team?
3) That for some reason UW and Utah present bad matchups for Stanford?
4) That random chance intervened and even a really good team will slip up against a tough schedule most of the time? (i.e. that people are fooled by randomness?)
5) That the UW and Utah games portend doom for Stanford?
6) That the UW and Utah games present problems for Stanford but ones that coaches and players can and will adjust?

Statistically the team is better this year than last, at least according to most metrics I've seen; but then again, UCLA is probably much better this year than last. I'm still troubled by the inability to adjust to that flanker motion, especially since UCLA uses it so frequently. I really have no idea what will happen, and it seems like pickers feel the same way -- I'd guess a 50/50 split, and Vegas's opening line of -7 has been bet down to -4.5, a significant drop.

Stanford 27
UCLA 24

(But I have a bad feeling about this game.)