Stanford at Arizona State
I’m confused, Stanford loses to UCLA, beats No. 3 Oregon, and then after averaging 30 points a game up until last Saturday can only muster three points in the last three quarters of their 28-10 loss to Arizona State-wtf? If their offensive line is as bad as it appeared against the Sun Devils how in the world did they ever beat Oregon? A few things have become clear after watching Arizona State this year. Their passing game is only there to set up the run as their QB Junior Jayden Daniels proved once again in this game while completing 14-of-23 for 175 yards, no interceptions, but also no TD’s. In fact Jayden has only thrown TD’s in two of the Sun Devil’s five games, completing an average 70% of his passes while moving the chains and keeping the defense honest.
Speaking of defense, the second thing that has become clear is that Arizona State’s is very disruptive, picking up five sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and three interceptions against the Cardinal. And the third—although they run by committee, collectively they field a solid rushing game picking up well over 5 yards per carry, 255 yards, and 3 TD’s in this one by three different runners including the QB. How the Ducks got beat by a team with such an anemic offensive line also befuddles me as Stanford was only able to muster 13 yards rushing in this game on 20 attempts! How is that even possible?
The Sun Devil’s were like magicians on the field with DB Jack Jones picking off a pass from Stanford Sophomore QB Tanner McKee, and then before hitting the ground lateraling it over to fellow DB Deandre Pierce who runs it in 27 yards for a score. Raachad White scored his on a five yard run after leaping over a defender for a 29 yard gain and then right before the half Elijhah Badger ran one in from 22 yards out on a reverse. For Stanford McKee threw for quite a few yards, 356, and 1 TD but that dramatic interception by Jones early in the 3rd Qtr pushed the Arizona State lead to three possessions in a game that already seemed out of reach for the Cardinal.
In spite of the loss, Stanford is not out of it in the North as they sit in 2nd place behind Oregon State who also dropped one this past weekend up in the Palouse which is exactly where the Cardinal is heading this next week. The PAC-12 South is Arizona State’s to lose as they currently sit on top with a 5-1 overall record, 3-0 in Conference. Apparently Washington State is going to have a lot to say about who wins either division as Arizona State will be hosting the Cougars after hitting the road to take on Utah this coming Saturday.