BACK IN THE GREEN
DUCKS HAVE CHANCE TO RETURN TO NATIONAL RELEVANCE VS. STANFORD
KEYS FOR STANFORD
Feel the Love: Stanford’s Bryce Love was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy last season, but is out of the picture for that honor early this season after a slow start. Love has run for 165 yards in two games and missed last week against UC Davis due to an undisclosed injury, but will to return to face the Ducks. Love ran for 147 yards and two scores on 17 carries in last season’s 49-7 win over the Ducks. Keep dominating the Ducks: Oregon and Stanford have had some classic battles in recent seasons while splitting the past 10 matchups, but the Cardinal have blown away Oregon in the past two seasons by a combined score of 101-34. Mark Helfrich and Willie Taggart were UO coaches in those two seasons while Mario Cristobal gets his first shot at the Cardinal on Saturday.
KEYS FOR OREGON
Who’s the running back?: Oregon has yet to establish a replacement for four-year starting running back Royce Freeman, the school’s alltime leading rusher who now plays for the Denver Broncos. Four different running backs have gotten at least 14 carries on the season, but none have rushed for more than 200 yards in the first three games.
Can you kick?: If the game is close, Oregon does not have a kicker who has made a field goal in a game. Sophomore Adam Stack is expected to make his debut after missing the first three games due to injury, but he was the punter last season. He was replaced early this season by walk-on Zach Emerson, whose lone attempt this season was blocked.
PREDICTION
Oregon 21, Stanford
20: The series has gone in two-year cycles with Oregon winning in 2010-11, Stanford in 2012-13, Oregon in 201415, and Stanford taking the last two contests. Look for the Ducks continue that trend on a last-minute touchdown pass from Justin Herbert.