BFS Current Story

First Place Stanford Cardinal Come to Corvallis

10-9-2009 - The 4-1 (3-0 pac-10) Stanford Cardinal come to Corvallis this Saturday to play a 4pm game against our Beavers 3-2 (1-1 pac-10). The Cardinal are a much improved team for 2009 with victories over Washington State, San Jose State, Washington and UCLA. Their only loss was on the road at Wake Forest 17-24.

Granted, Stanford has played some questionable competition thus far but they are convincing many people that they will be a threat this year in the PAC-10 and will play a role in determining the champion in this conference.

Since 2000 Stanford is only 2-6 against the Beavers and 4-8 in the last 12 meetings.

Stanford is second in the conference in scoring, rushing offense, 3rd down conversions and time of possession. As more of a run oriented offense Stanford leads the PAC-10 in pass efficiency which means when they do pass they do it very well.

The Beavers are coming into this game off a very big victory in Tempe over ASU. A place the Beavers have not won a game vs ASU since 1969. The Beaver offense took advantage of ASU turnovers scored 4 times for a 28-17 win. But the running game and the offense in general is still not running a breakneck pace and the defense is still giving up way to many yards in the air.

The Beavers offensive line seems to be playing better by not allowing as many sacks of Canfield however the running game is still stagnant. The defensive line is putting more pressure on quarterbacks but that is mostly coming off the blitz and not from the 4 down linemen.

Although the Beavers have won three games, they are giving up a lot of yards per game and not controlling the ball on offense the way they have done in the past. If you look at the box scores after games you have Canfield throwing the ball way to much and much fewer rushing attempts per game. The ASU game was one of the Beavers more balanced game with 24 rushing attempts and 30 passing attempts. This discrepancy may be two fold. The Beavers offensive line cannot open the holes for Quizz to rush threw or they are trying to give Quizz fewer carries to not wear him out physically like last year. My guess is it is the first one.

No matter what the reason, the Beavers must become more balanced on offense to compete in this conference. Canfield cannot continue to throw the ball 35 to 45 times a game and expect to win.

BY THE NUMBERS

KEYS	STATISTIC	OSU	STAN	Advantage
.	Records	3-2 (1-1)	4-1 (3-0)	STAN
.	Scoring Offense	27.0	31.2	STAN
.	Scoring Defense	22.0	16.8	STAN
.	Total Offense	372.2	410.0	STAN
.	Total Defense	372.6	324.8	STAN
.	Rushing Offense	124.4	221.8	STAN
.	Rushing Defense	87.4	114.2	OSU
.	Passing Offense	247.8	188.2	OSU
.	Passing Defense	285.2	210.6	STAN
.	Pass Efficiency	133.2	144.2	STAN
.	Pass Defense Efficiency	127.9	120.9	STAN
.	Kickoff Returns	22.4	41.1	STAN
.	Punt Return Average	8.4	12.2	STAN
.	Interceptions	3	3	TIE
.	Punting	36.3	37.9	STAN
.	Kickoff Coverage	43.2	47.7	STAN
.	Field Goals	7/9=.778	5/7=.714	OSU
.	PAT Kicking	14/15=.933	19/19=1.0	STAN
.	Sacks by	3	11	STAN
.	Sacks Against	16	3	STAN
.	First Downs	101	97	OSU
.	Opponent First Downs	105	94	STAN
.	3rd Down Conversions	44.9	49.2	STAN
.	3rd Down Defense	37.7	34.3	STAN
.	4th Down Conversions	66.7	80.0	STAN
.	4th Down Defense	50.0	55.6	OSU
.	Penalties	45.0	54.4	OSU
.	Time of Possession	30.20	31.45	STAN
.	Turnover Margin	+2	-4	OSU
.	Red Zone Offense	94.4	72.2	OSU
.	Red Zone Defense	83.3	87.5	OSU
.	Home Field Advantage	OSU	*	OSU
32	Totals	10	21	STAN

Since the first game of the season the Beavers have not won the stats game prior to a game. This week once again the Beavers are blown out on the stat board 21 to 10. The big stat the Beavers need to capitalize on is their rush defense. Stanford is a big time running game that averages 100 yards more per game then the Beavers do. Stanford passing game is not as strong but it is very efficient so the Beavers defense needs to do what they can to stuff the run and not give up the big pass play.

For the first time this season the Beavers are ahead in turnover margin which could be big in this kind of defensive game. Also the Beavers have the advantage in red zone offense and defense so that could play big this afternoon.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Beavers have got to be efficient with the ball because Stanford will be controlling the clock. So the Beavers must take advantage of every opportunity they get because they might not get the ball back right away. Establish the run, and beat them with the pass. Stanford's pass defense is questionable so the Beavers could win this with big plays in the air.

FINAL SCORE

BEAVERS 24
STANFORD 20

GO BEAVERS!

BFS