10-26-2019, 02:24 AM
My problem in trying to predict this game is this: I am not sure which defense will show up.
While our offense has been largely predictable (i.e., highly unproductive, with a high total of 31 vs. the Beavers and a low of 6 vs. the Ducks and 5 games between 16 and 27), the defense has been all over the map, allowing 45 twice (USC and UCF) and 7 once (Northwestern), with quite some variation in between (21, 28, 13, 34). Obviously, our defense does better when the offense is efficient with high TOP (UW game) and fares worse when the offense is misfiring (UCLA game).
Nonetheless, if we assume that the offense under Costello is good for, say, 27 points, and under West around 17 points, then the big question is whether our defense can keep Tate & Co. under either of those numbers. We have held two teams to under 17 points (UW, Northwestern) and three teams to under 27 points (UW, Northwestern and Oregon). In Arizona's last two games, Washington held them to 27; USC held them to 14.
Which Stanford defense will show up? Right now, I fear it will be the one we saw against UCLA, especially if Tate gets going.
While our offense has been largely predictable (i.e., highly unproductive, with a high total of 31 vs. the Beavers and a low of 6 vs. the Ducks and 5 games between 16 and 27), the defense has been all over the map, allowing 45 twice (USC and UCF) and 7 once (Northwestern), with quite some variation in between (21, 28, 13, 34). Obviously, our defense does better when the offense is efficient with high TOP (UW game) and fares worse when the offense is misfiring (UCLA game).
Nonetheless, if we assume that the offense under Costello is good for, say, 27 points, and under West around 17 points, then the big question is whether our defense can keep Tate & Co. under either of those numbers. We have held two teams to under 17 points (UW, Northwestern) and three teams to under 27 points (UW, Northwestern and Oregon). In Arizona's last two games, Washington held them to 27; USC held them to 14.
Which Stanford defense will show up? Right now, I fear it will be the one we saw against UCLA, especially if Tate gets going.