Nationally interesting college football games against top 10 teams don’t just come out of nowhere. So why does No. 9 Stanford’s contest against No. 4 Oregon at Autzen Stadium on Saturday feel so unanticipated, so extraordinary?
True, the Ducks (4-0, 1-0 Pacific-10 Conference) received their earliest top-five ranking in school history this season. The Cardinal are 4-0 (1-0 Pac-10) for just the sixth time since 1940, with their last 5-0 record coming in 1951.
Stanford went to the Rose Bowl following that 1941 season; Oregon returned from a Rose Bowl loss to Ohio State on Jan. 1 to begin its quest for the postseason anew. National prognosticators believe that another Rose Bowl appearance is likely for this game’s winner.
This game, of course, will take place Oct. 2. This 2010 season remains very young, and unpredictable.
It is not in the nature of the Oregon fan to give praise and create expectations so early. Recent history has, yet again, changed the mind-set around the Ducks.
Since current head coach Chip Kelly was hired as offensive coordinator in 2007, Oregon has won nine, 10 and 10 games in its past three seasons. Not since 1999-2001 under Mike Bellotti (30 wins) have the Ducks had as successful a three-year run. Before that? It had never happened. Kelly needs nine wins to equal the best four-year stretch in school history (1998-2001), and with this team it’s easy to imagine he will meet that mark.
Consistent stretches of nine-or-more-win seasons may be welcome surprises to longtime fans, but national statistical rankings of late have been downright astounding.
Oregon entered its Sept. 25 contest against Arizona State ranked first nationally in total offense, total defense, scoring offense and scoring defense. The absurdity of leading the nation in the statistical Big Four was largely justified by dominance over early competition – 72-0 over New Mexico, 48-13 over Tennessee and 69-0 over Portland State.
After a taxing and sloppy 42-31 victory over the Sun Devils, the Ducks dropped to third, 23rd, and tied for third in total offense, total defense and scoring defense, maintaining their No. 1 ranking in scoring offense. Large numbers are impressive, and the obvious question arises: Can Oregon keep them up as the season progresses?
The appearance of ESPN’s College GameDay pregame show serves as further affirmation that this young season is special for Oregon fans. The show has now appeared in Eugene four times in four years, and fans willingly wake up hours before the 6 a.m. Pacific Standard Time broadcast – or stay awake from the night before – to rally around the Ducks on a national stage.
ESPN’s decision to recognize the Stanford-Oregon game with a GameDay appearance is as humbling as it is rewarding for the Oregon program. Kelly has worked hard as offensive coordinator and head coach to turn the Ducks into a nationally recognized team.
Fans are warming up to the idea that, despite a Rose Bowl defeat and a tumultuous offseason, 2010 may turn into a special season. As the national spotlight shines on Autzen Stadium, the fans are more and more convinced. It’s never too early to hope and to dream.
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Spotlight shining on Eugene in anticipation of top-10 matchup
Daily Emerald
September 28, 2010
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