Opponent Preview: Stanford
At a Glance
Oregon State at Stanford
When: TBA Saturday, Nov. 5
Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California
TV/Radio: TBD/Beaver Sports Radio Network
Series history: Stanford leads 54-25
Last meeting: The Cardinal used a 14-point third quarter to pull away from the Beavers, 42-24, in Reser Stadium. Christian McCaffrey carried the ball 30 times for 206 yards to lead Stanford, while Barry Sanders Jr. and Remound Wright each ran for two touchdowns. Jordan Villamin caught 7 passes for 138 yards and 40-yard TD pass from Seth Collins to pace the Beavers.
2015 in Review
Record: 12-2 overall (Won Pac-12 Championship), 8-1 Pac-12 (6-1 home, 4-1 away, 2-0 neutral)
Bowl game: Routed Iowa State, 45-16, in the Rose Bowl.
Notable games: Lost season opener to Northwestern, 16-6; crushed UCLA, 56-35; lost 38-36 to Oregon at home; topped Notre Dame, 38-36, in regular season finale; routed USC in Pac-12 championship game, 41-22.
Quick numbers
Points per game: 37.8, Opponents: 22.6; Rushing yards per game: 223.7, Opponents: 139.9; Passing yards per game: 211.8, Opponents: 228.4; Time of possession: 34:48, Opponents: 25:12; Red-zone touchdown percentage: 66 percent, Opponents: 45 percent.
Top performers
Passing: Kevin Hogan (2,867, 27 TDs, 8 INT, 67.8 percent completion rate, 336 yards rushing, 6 TDs); Rushing: McCaffrey (2,019 yards, 8 TDs, 6.0 YPC); Receiving: McCaffrey (45 catches, 645 yards, 5 TDs); Tackles: Blake Martinez (141 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT).
Key losses
Hogan, Sanders Jr. (315 yards, 4 TDs); Michael Rector (34 catches, 559 yards, 7 TDs); Martinez, Aziz Shittu (57 tackles, 14 for loss, 4 sacks); Dallas Lloyd (55 tackles, 1 INT).
Nov. 5 Outlook
Key returners
Keller Chryst (Soph.): 5-of 9 passing, 59 yards, and a TD; McCaffrey (JR.); Francis Owusu (SR. WR); 13 catches, 175 yards, 1 TD; Peter Kalambayi (SR. OLB): 52 tackles, 4.5 sacks; Alameen Murphy (JR. CB): 44 tackles); Kevin Palma (SR. ILB): 44 tackles, 1 sack.
Key strength
Can a lone player be a team’s greatest strength? In Stanford’s case: YES. McCaffrey is one of, if not the top, playmakers in all of college football. He might not match last season’s output numbers-wise, but will be every bit as dangerous. His presence will take a lot of pressure off Chryst, who is likely to step in as Hogan’s replacement. As long as McCaffrey is healthy, the Cardinal will be a force.
Key question
Stanford’s top two returning receivers are both running backs (McCaffrey and Bryce Love: 15 catches 250 yards, 1 TD). And while, Stanford hasn’t been known standout WRs in recent years, they need one to emerge this season. Could it be Owusu, former Cardinal standout, Chris Owusu’s brother)? Who replaces Austin Hooper’s 438 yards and 6 TDs at tight end?
Raju’s Take
Stanford was picked by the Pac-12 media to win the conference again. While I think UW should be the favorite, the Cardinal are easily a worthy pick. They’ve got one of the best players in the country, a solid defensive nucleolus, and are always physical, disciplined, and well coached. All of which doesn’t bode well for OSU, especially on the road.
McCaffrey will get his yards, but if the Beavers can get to Chryst and shut down his receivers, they might be able to keep the game within reach. After all, McCaffrey can’t do it all can he? By this point in the season, we should know how stout the OSU defense is. Another key against Stanford could be rotating players in and out to keep fresh against the Cardinal offensive line, which is usually a punishing experience.
Offensively, yards on the ground could be hard to come by. So the Beavers need to attack through the air first to open the run game. Villamin and Victor Bolden need to be targeted a lot this game, and Paul Lucas should be used out of the backfield to keep the Stanford D on its toes. However, when all is said and down, OSU probably doesn’t have enough firepower on both sides of the ball to win this one…