10-27-2022, 03:18 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-27-2022, 03:23 PM by JohnR34231.)
(10-27-2022, 01:46 PM)gailtate Wrote:(10-26-2022, 03:43 PM)Snorlax94 Wrote: I just watched the UCLA-Oregon game -- that was a true battle between Top-10 teams.
UCLA's strengths are that Charbonnet is the best downhill, Yards-After-Contact running back I've seen in the Pac-12 in a while, and DTR is one of the most mobile QBs in the nation.
And of course mobile quarterbacks and hard-to-tackle running backs are two of Stanford's weaknesses.
UCLA is not a perfect team. Oregon had success running up the middle, and DTR can throw inconsistently. Oregon had the perfect game plan -- jump out to the lead and playcall incredibly aggressively (an early onside kick while they had the lead), and this took UCLA's best two assets -- Charbonnet and DTR's feet -- largely out of the game, and made UCLA try to catch up using DTR's arm. Oregon's two-touchdown win didn't show UCLA was over-rated -- it showed what can happen when another Top-10 team, with a thunderous home field advantage, with a great game plan, executes that plan to perfection.
There is a path for Stanford to win. DTR can throw some bad, floating balls, and in past years, Stanford has had ball hawk defensive backs. UCLA's dependence on Bono reminds me of Notre Dame's dependence on Mayer, and Stanford was the first team this season to take away Mayer. I've been really impressed with how much Stanford's front 7 have improved, and maybe this is the game they take another step forward and pinch DTR and lock-down Charbonnet before he can get going. Maybe this is the game the secondary returns to their old form. Maybe this is the game the oline protects McKee consistently against a fast, aggressive pass rush, and maybe this is the game the WRs make all the catches we know they can, and a new RB emerges.
But although I hope this happens, and I think it can happen, my prediction must be negative this week -- UCLA has too many of Stanford's weaknesses and the Cardinal is not well-positioned to exploit UCLA's vulnerabilities. Even though Stanford is improving and has a shot at a bowl game, I could see Stanford trailing 35-6 and making it closer only in garbage time.
Can't Stop Mobile QBs, Can't Stop Downhill Runners - 16
Mobile QB, Downhill Runner - 35
So, the only chance Stanford has against UCLA is...to transform itself into Oregon? I don't think there's an app for that. The reason Stanford loses games when it's up against a UCLA-class team is because it is not an Oregon-class team. I think Stanford was an Oregon State caliber team this year. With the injured list what it is at this moment, probably no longer. Still, die-hards have some hope. With luck and inferior officiating, Stanford might find ways to edge kal and BYU. Four wins! Maybe. I wouldn't bank on it, though. This is a truly dreadful time in Cardinal history. Who'd-a-thunk at the '16 Rose Bowl?
Of course, if Stanford did find a way to get past Kal and BYU it would be five wins, not four. If we could also find a way to beat the Cougs (I realize we haven't since 2015) that would be six wins and perhaps a bowl game.
As I've said before what's wrong with being a little optimistic? It doesn't cost anything.