Jim vs. Jerry: Stanford @Washington

We’re introducing a new series, as Jeff and Jerry analyze the upcoming games. Here are their thoughts on the Washington game in Seattle.

Jim: So, Jerry, it’s almost game time. Are you fired up?

Jerry: No, I’m dreading it!

Jim: What? We’re the Cardinal! We’re playing Washington, a team we beat 65-21 last year! We had more yards on the ground than they had total yards!

Jerry: Yeah, but Washington totally owns us.

Jim: Dude, what planet are you on, we’ve one the last four straight, and six of the last seven.

Jerry: Yeah, but before those six, Washington beat us six straight. Back in 1994, we managed to beat them, but before that, they beat us ten straight times, TEN!

Jim: OK, but let’s look at this year. They have three of their offensive line out with injuries. Do you remember what we did with USC’s weak offensive line? We will have a party in the backfield!

Jerry: But what about our offense? We’re 77^th overall in rushing and 90^th in passing! And Washington is in the top half of scoring defenses.

Jim: Washington is 48^th nationally. San Jose State, whom we beat in week one, is 46^th.

Jerry: But San Jose State racked up its stats against UC Davis, Colorado State, San Diego State and us. Washington’s were against San Diego State, LSU, and Portland State. San Jose State beat San Diego State 38-34, but Washington beat them more decisively, 21-12. Twelve points against vs. 34, come on!

Jim: Ok, so Washington has a good scoring defense. What about their offense? They’re 97^th in passing yards, 106^th in rushing yards, and 89^th in scoring offense. This is against teams like San Diego State and Portland State. Portland State! That’s a team that lost to North Dakota and Southern Utah, you know the team Cal beat 50-31!

Jerry: You’re overlooking the fact that the third game was against LSU, as in the team in last year’s national championship game.

Jim: OK, let’s look at special teams and turnovers. Thanks to Drew Terrell, Stanford in 11^th in the nation in punt returns, 38^th in fumbles forced,  Washington is 114^th in punting, averaging less than 37 yards per punt. Jordan Richardson Williamson is 18^th in the nation in kickoffs with over 64 yards per kickoff. Washington’s kicker has them at 99^th nationally with an average of 59.73 yards per kickoff.

Jerry: You’re not talking about the kicking game, are you? Jordan Richardson Williamson also kicks field goals and extra points.

Jim: You are such a buzzkill.

Jerry: and you’re a Pollyanna. Let’s talk about intangibles. We’ve got a so-so quarterback starting in his first away game and fourth game overall.

Jim: Well, that’s mitigated a little by the fact that Washington is 97^th in sacks with only 1.33 per game. Also, Washington’s home field advantage is diminished a little by the fact that they’re playing at the Seahawks’ CenturyLink Field.

Jerry: CenturyLink Field, ugh!

Jim: Don’t worry. We won’t have replacement refs. We’ll have Pac-12 refs.

Jerry: Double ugh!

Jim: So what do you have?

Jerry: Their freshman running back, Erich Wilson II, from East Palo Alto, finally gets a touchdown. He’s been averaging 5.7 yards per carry and is a real stud. Bishop Sankey gets another. Our quarterback throws two picks, one of which is run back for a touchdown. Another leads to a field goal scoring drive. On our side, Drew Terrell busts one. Levine Toilolo catches one, and our workhorse, Stepfan Taylor gets a third. Washington 24-21. You?

Jim: I see our defense blanking them, just totally shutting them down. Josh throws a pick, but it’s inconsequential. Toilolo and Ertz both get touchdowns, and so do Montgomery and Taylor. Stanford 28-0.