1. Which Stanford team will show up on Friday night at Oregon State?
Stanford (No. 21) reemerged onto the national scene as a team to be reckoned with in Week 3 with a tremendous display of physicality and execution against USC, knocking off the Trojans 41-31 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This was the team we all expected to see to open the season before a trip out east and a bad loss to Northwestern put a big damper on things.
While nobody would confuse the Beavers with the Trojans, these Pac-12 battles hardly ever go without a hitch. Making matters worse, Stanford may have to go without starting quarterback Kevin Hogan, who is dealing with a “significant” ankle injury, according to head coach David Shaw.
Oregon State quarterback Seth Collins has dual-threat abilities but was stymied badly against Michigan a couple weeks ago. Stanford’s defense should be able to handle anything the Beavers throw its way, but then again, dual-threat quarterback Clayton Thorson was able to make hay against this unit in Week 1.
Depending on which Stanford team shows up on Friday night, the Cardinal could blow out Oregon State or lose in a stinker. It’s up to coach Shaw to make sure his players have the right mindset to ensure it’s the former.
This contest can be viewed on FOX Sports 1 starting at 10 p.m. ET.