Stanford's passing game needs work
By Jon Wilner
Updated: 09/28/2010 10:44:46 PM PDT
Stanford is fourth in the nation in scoring (48 points per game) and leads the Pac-10 in several categories, including third down conversions and red zone scoring.
But all is not well on that side of the ball, especially as it pertains to the passing game.
"We want it to be better," coach Jim Harbaugh said Tuesday, as the No. 9 Cardinal prepared for Saturday's showdown at No. 4 Oregon.
"But that's everything -- in every phase of the game, we want to get better."
Quarterback Andrew Luck leads the Pac-10 in passing, but his statistics are built on stellar performances against second-rate competition:
He completed 74 percent of his passes, with eight touchdowns and no interceptions, against Sacramento State, a Football Championship Subdivision team, and Wake Forest, which ranks 117th in the nation in pass defense.
Against the reasonably competent defenses of UCLA and Notre Dame, Luck has completed just 53.5 percent of his passes, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
"I left some plays out there," Luck said, referring to Notre Dame -- the first two-interception game of his career. "I have a lot of improving to do.''
The short-circuiting could be the result of opposing defenses paying more attention to the aerial attack in the wake of running back Toby Gerhart's departure.
Or maybe injuries to receivers Chris Owusu, who missed the first two games, and Ryan Whalen, who's currently hurt, have disrupted the timing.
Luck placed the blame at his own feet, literally: He's throwing too many passes off his back foot, resulting in wobblers and misfires.
"Oregon will make us pay for plays like that," he said.
Luck ranks fifth (albeit a distant fifth) in espn.com's latest Heisman Trophy poll, behind Michigan's Denard Robinson, Boise State's Kellen Moore, Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor and Alabama's Mark Ingram.
Saturday's game has been billed as a clash of opposites (Stanford's power against Oregon's speed). But Oregon Coach Chip Kelly disagrees.
"Both teams strive to run the football," he said. "They use more tight ends, but it's still (two) tough, hard-nosed styles."
In keeping with his season-long policy, Harbaugh declined to talk specifics about Stanford's injured players -- a growing list that includes tailbacks Jeremy Stewart (ankle) and Tyler Gaffney (undisclosed), receiver Ryan Whalen (dislocated elbow) and safety Michael Thomas (leg).:scared
....................................................................
Won the game last week when Adrew Luck took down Notre Dame at their place.
But when I watched that game I saw some things I did not like about Stanford. Things that will hurt them in this game vs the Oregon Ducks.
Oregon has 9 players that have carried the ball for at least a 5 yd gain. The QB is very good and underated as a passer with his 10 TDs so far.
Oregon has the special teams and defense to really score in bunchs . The thing I really like about Oregon is when I watched them play Tenn early this year, once they got going they put the hammer down. They tried every which way to run the score up. That matters to me when I am laying any points at all.
Oregon at home field advantage. This is too much for Stanford who hasnt beaten a top 10 team in forever.
This could get ugly.
