Stanford has dealt Oregon some tough losses over the years. They stole one in agonizing fashion last season with a 4th quarter and overtime comeback that was brutally assisted by two huge blunders by the Ducks, fumbling away the football at critical moments.
I can still see Zach Ertz juggling the ball on his chest as his shoulder slides out of bounds. I can still see De'Anthony Thomas joyously prancing toward the end zone as a Stanford safety takes an angle on Marcus Mariota.
I remember those two fourth quarter blocked punts that cost Joey Harrington and the Ducks a shot at their first national championship game.
Stanford is down this year. They're vulnerable. They've had two crushing losses on the road, to USC and UCF. Through three games they're averaging 21.3 points a game and they don't have a pass play over 27 yards, 3 total TD passes versus 2 interceptions. The defense is giving up 6.39 yards per play, a total of 841 yards through the air, about 280 yards a game.
David Shaw is perhaps the conference's best coach, and no doubt his intelligent players will gather together and rally for a visit by an old nemesis.
Provided the Ducks are ready, this is a great chance to pour dirt on a frequent tormentor. A loss would make the Trees 1-3 on the season and 0-2 in conference, giving Oregon a three-game lead on the first of the preseason contenders.
Hopefully Justin Herbert is the quarterback with a hot hand. Cardinal give up about 3.9 yards per carry on the ground. In 3 games, they have 4 sacks and 15 tackles for loss, the Ducks, 10 and 25.
