5 questions with Stanford expert
BeaversEdge.com caught up with Jacob Rayburn of CardinalSportsReport.com on the Rivals.com network to get an in-depth look at the Oregon State Beavers' opponent this week.
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1. How much different is this Stanford team today than what they showed in a loss against San Diego State? What have they done to turn things around?
Jacob Rayburn: "The quarterback play has been much better since that night in San Diego, and the starting five of the offensive line was changed that night: freshman and former five star recruit Walker Little started his first game at left tackle and David Bright moved inside to left guard. Stanford is on a four game streak of not giving up a sack. Little missed the Oregon game, but the line showed its versatility and depth by covering that loss and also when the second left tackle, Devery Hamilton, hurt his ankle. The line is much improved and that started on that otherwise rough night against the Aztecs.
"When Keller Chryst suffered a concussion against UCLA it gave KJ Costello a chance, and he almost took the job away from Chryst. Costello put together a strong seven quarter stretch that helped finish off UCLA for a ninth straight time and then beat a tough Arizona State. Chryst and Costello both played well at Utah and then Chryst put together the best performance of his career in the game against Oregon. There seems to be growing confidence among players on offense who weathered a couple rough weeks earlier in the season."
2. Is Bryce Love as good as all of the hype? How good is the offensive line in front of him?
JR: "Love is special and his speed is an obvious reason for why, but he is more than a football player who outruns the defense. He can gain tough yards between the tackles and if you miss an opportunity to bring him down, you might be left watching him run for another long touchdown. He has a touchdown run of at least 50 yards in nine straight games.
"The offensive line seems to have found the rhythm that eluded it for much of the first half of last season due to multiple injuries. This year, good health and settling on the right five up front has led to better consistency and performances. Little is a true freshman holding down the left tackle spot and is doing a great job. He's a natural and his ability was already very advanced before he got to Stanford. Bright is maybe the most valuable lineman Stanford has because he has played every position but center and against Oregon went from left guard to left tackle without a problem.
"Nate 'Big Island' Herbig is a sophomore at right guard who had to play last season because of injuries and is a rising star. A.T. Hall is at right tackle and he is greatly improved from last season. The then redshirt sophomore struggled against talented pass rushers but noticeably improved during the offseason and is now holding off the other former five star recruit, freshman Foster Sarell. Many fans thought it was only a matter of time that Sarell would take the job but Hall put in the work to stay in front."
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3. Who are some key names for Oregon State to know other than Bryce Love?
JR: "Wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside is Stanford's best player on the outside and he is a tough, physical receiver. He is a 6-foot-3 former basketball player who routinely makes difficult catches even with defensive backs draped over him.
"On defense the three best players are defensive lineman Harrison Phillips, outside linebacker Peter Kalambayi and safety Justin Reid. Phillips leads the team in tackles and is crucial to the defense's ability to stop or even slow down the run. Kalambayi is the second most important playmaker in the front seven because of his ability to set the edge, stop the run and even drop back in coverage. Reid has five interceptions and is playing at a very high level for the Cardinal."
4. In your opinion, what is the biggest key to the game in order for Oregon State to pull off the upset?
JR: "It's a formula as old as the game itself: Stop the run and run the ball effectively. If Oregon State can stop Stanford's run game, especially if Love doesn't play due to an ankle injury, then the odds improve but it still won't be easy to make Stanford have to pass more than run. Given Stanford's defensive weakness is against the run the Beavers need to stay close enough to keep handing off to Thomas Tyner and Ryan Nall."
5. What's your score prediction and why?
JR: "Stanford's bend-don't-break approach on defense has allowed 24, 20 and seven points in the past three games. The statistics haven't looked great, but the Cardinal have kept opponents out of the end zone. On offense, even if Love doesn't play, the Cardinal have a lot of confidence right now and a bye week to rest some key players."
Stanford 35, Oregon State 17