[OutsiderFan]

We have to beat Cal first!

BC

Exactly. That's far from a given this year.

I posted here earlier in the year that if Stanford didn't change its offensive approach, to leaning on passing, they would lose to Cal this year.  Well, since then Stanford has changed to lean on Costello and the talented receiving corps, to change this game's outlook quite a bit.

It's one thing to say "it's possible Cal could win" in the "on any given day sense." But this game is about as much of a given for Stanford as you can get. Cal simply can't do anything on offense. Stanford is now the most prolific offense in the Pac-12 over the last three weeks, good for #5 in FBS in Yards Per Play over that span. Cal is good on defense, but football is an offensive game now, and they are #128 in FBS over the last three weeks. Even Cal fans recognize Stanford's defense will be much better against Cal than its season averages, because Cal lacks play making athletes on offense.

A Stanford team with a big play passing offense is a horrible match-up for Cal. It might be their worst match-up since Oregon, a game they lost 42-24.

[OutsiderFan]

We have to beat Cal first!

BC

Exactly. That's far from a given this year.

I posted here earlier in the year that if Stanford didn't change its offensive approach, to leaning on passing, they would lose to Cal this year.  Well, since then Stanford has changed to lean on Costello and the talented receiving corps, to change this game's outlook quite a bit.

It's one thing to say "it's possible Cal could win" in the "on any given day sense." But this game is about as much of a given for Stanford as you can get. Cal simply can't do anything on offense. Stanford is now the most prolific offense in the Pac-12 over the last three weeks, good for #5 in FBS in Yards Per Play over that span. Cal is good on defense, but football is an offensive game now, and they are #128 in FBS over the last three weeks. Even Cal fans recognize Stanford's defense will be much better against Cal than its season averages, because Cal lacks play making athletes on offense.

A Stanford team with a big play passing offense is a horrible match-up for Cal. It might be their worst match-up since Oregon, a game they lost 42-24.