Stanford vs. Oregon State Prediction, Game Preview

The Stanford Cardinal (2-1) look to remain hot this Friday night in Corvallis against the Oregon State Beavers (2-1). Check out the Stanford vs. Oregon State prediction and game preview.

Stanford vs. Oregon State Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 25
Game Time: 10:00 ET
Network: Fox Sports 1

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Why You Need To Care

Just when it looked as if Stanford was going to fade quietly out of Pac-12 contention, it goes out and knocks off USC in the Coliseum. And just like that, the team that bowed meekly to Northwestern in the opener is ranked again. The Cardinal will look to build off last week’s upset this week at Reser Stadium. Oregon State is rebuilding under Gary Andersen, even if the 2-1 mark looks respectable. The Beavers were outclassed by Michigan two weeks ago, 35-7, and needed a second-half rally to beat San Jose State last Saturday.

Why Stanford Will Win

If it was missing before Week 3, the Cardinal have regained the momentum and swagger that went missing in Evanston. Stanford is still rugged at the line of scrimmage, and QB Kevin Hogan was very sharp against the Trojans. Additionally, the Cardinal D vs. the Beaver offense is a potential mismatch. Oregon State is not only light on playmakers, but QB Seth Collins is a true freshman with undeveloped passing skills.

Why Oregon State Will Win

This is Stanford, a perplexing program that rarely sustains consistency. And after the high of the USC win, it’s eminently possible that the Cardinal will be emotionally drained for this trip to Corvallis. Plus, Hogan is a question mark after injuring his ankle last week. Andersen has OSU playing well at the line of scrimmage, which means holes for RB Storm Barrs-Woods and a chance at stunting a Stanford ground game averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. LB Rommel Mageo and linemen Kyle Peko and Titus Failauga are capable of hemming in RB Christian McCaffrey Friday.

Player Who Matters

The Beavers must establish the run to pull the upset. But it won’t easy against this opponent. Cardinal ends Aziz Shittu, Solomon Thomas and Brennan Scarlett do a nice job of sealing off the edge and forcing opposing backs inside. And from the second level, linebackers Blake Martinez and Kevin Anderson don’t make many mistakes.

What’s Going To Happen?

A possible bear trap game for Stanford? You bet, particularly if little-used Ryan Burns or Keller Chryst subs for Hogan. Travelling to Corvallis the week after upsetting USC is a challenging turnaround for the Cardinal. And the Reser Stadium crowd and Beaver defense will test the visitors. But when Oregon State needs a conversion from the offense, Stanford will stifle Collins. The Cardinal will survive, but not without breaking a serious sweat.