Oregon Football: 3 hot takes from crushing loss to Stanford in Week 5

STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Brown #13 is congratulated by Devon Williams #2 of the Oregon Ducks after he Brown rushed in for a touchdown in the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 02: Anthony Brown #13 is congratulated by Devon Williams #2 of the Oregon Ducks after he Brown rushed in for a touchdown in the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on October 02, 2021 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Losing to Stanford in Week 5 wasn’t exactly on the list of things we expected from Oregon football this season, but the Cardinal always seem to give the Ducks fits.

Oregon looked to have the game in hand, up by a touchdown and driving into Stanford territory, but the Ducks moved in the wrong direction and gave the ball back to the Cardinal with a couple of minutes left to play. They went down and scored on the final play of the game to send it to overtime where they scored the only touchdown and won 31-24.

Panic has struck the fanbase after the loss, but now’s not the time to give up on this team or assume the worst.

Let’s dive into some piping-hot takes from the Ducks’ loss to Stanford.

3. Travis Dye would start pretty much anywhere

Oregon might be without CJ Verdell for an extended period of time as he left the Stanford game with a leg injury and had a hard time putting any weight on it. Mario Cristobal said after the game that he didn’t know the severity but it seemed to be significant.

Without Verdell, Travis Dye is going to have more responsibility in the run game and that’s not exactly a bad thing. He’s one of the best backup running backs in the country and now he’s getting a chance to be the Ducks’ RB1.

And he showed on Saturday against Stanford and throughout the first month of the year that he’s going to make a fine starting running back. He has what it takes.

Dye finished the game with 96 rushing yards and 39 receiving yards and he kept the offense going in the second half. He would be able to start just about anywhere and this opportunity is one for which he’s been waiting.