The Oregon Ducks have recovered from their slow start to the season, winning three games in a row. They'll look to keep that streak going against Stanford this weekend, a win they need to get if they want to get back to the Pac-12 Championship Game. Here are three reasons why the Ducks will upset Stanford this weekend:
3) Royce Freeman's ability to dominate a game
Freeman broke onto the scene with an outstanding freshman campaign and has continued to dominate this season, rushing for 1,287 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 194 carries. He's recorded five straight games with at least 110 yards, rushing for six touchdowns in the span. His elite combination of speed and power will give Stanford's defense fits.
2) Kevin Hogan's inconsistency
Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan is an anomaly throughout his entire career as he's never able to consistently play great - he always has games where he can't seem to connect with any of his receivers. Those inconsistencies caused Stanford to lose to Northwestern in their season opener, but he's been a good player since then.
However, Hogan has never gone three straight games without throwing an interception, and he's thrown one in each of the past four games. He's getting sloppy with his decision-making, and that will come back to bite Stanford sooner rather than later. Expect Oregon's speed on defense to come up with a few interceptions in this game.
1) Healthy and explosive Vernon Adams Jr.
Adams has missed or been limited in four games this season, and the Ducks are 1-3 in those games - but are 5-0 when he's fully healthy. He's a talented playmaker, as shown by his 4-touchdown game against Arizona State, using his dual-threat ability to gash opposing defenses on the ground and through the air. The Oregon offense is one of the most deadly with Adams at QB, and the Ducks have used their speed to have success against Stanford in the past. Expect it to happen again.
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