Oregon Football travels to the farm to take on the Stanford Cardinal. I caught up with Dave Bartoo from the College Football Matrix to break this one down.
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Bartoo started with Oregon Football saying there has been consistency this season, but not necessarily the area we thought, “The one thing for Oregon that is consistent is the defense.” Andy Avalos has a system that the team has bought into and the Ducks defense has allowed just three field goals in the last two home games at Autzen Stadium.
While Oregon is in a better position entering the game vs Stanford, Bartoo says the Pac-12 North has always been a three-team race and right now, it is up for grabs, “This is one of those windows that coaches make their team jump through. You have a Stanford team as down as we’ve seen in the last 15 years under Shaw. You have a Washington team that can’t score but can still play defense.”
This game between Oregon and Stanford is equally important for both teams, “Look at all of the moving pieces that are involved in this. This is a pivotal game for both teams. I don’t think either team can afford to lose this game.”
The winner of the game will have a leg up, but should not get caught looking too far ahead, “To me, part of trying to get back to where you were is re-establishing your dominance for everyone you are supposed to be beating. You don’t go from zero to National Championship contender overnight. Before we start getting ahead of ourselves, why don’t you start winning the division.”
Oregon meets Stanford on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4 pm Pacific Time on ESPN.
Quotes obtained during a phone interview with Dave Bartoo, College Football Matrix.