Never underestimate your opponent: that is the message this week for Stanford players.
Fourth ranked Stanford travels to Corvallis this weekend to take on Oregon State on Saturday, winners of just two games thus far this year, but aren't taking the Beavers lightly. Cardinal players know that there's been many a team that's overlooked a seemingly easy opponent and had it ruin an otherwise undefeated season. Andrew Luck will look to keep them headstrong and in the game, and he noted:
"Tough place to play. Definitely no fond memories. They're a very well coached, tough team with a great atmosphere. It's always tough to go into Corvallis. They put the beat down on us last time we were there, so we're expecting a fight."
Luck is referring to the last time the two teams met at Oregon State, where the Beavers won 38-28.
Stanford coach David Shaw also warned his team of not looking forward to next week's matchup with No. 6 Oregon, but also stressed that after last week's big win at USC, they can't just expect to waltz through this one. He said:
"It was a big game, it was an exciting game, it was one of the best games a lot of people have said they have seen in a while, but then the season is not over. We've talked all year about building. You're in a big game, you win a big game, it gets even bigger. So you can't win a big game and stop playing."
Notes that will make you jealous of Stanford's football program:
- Stanford has won 16 games in a row, the longest active streak in the country.
- If Stanford wins they'll go to 9-0 for the first time since 1952.
- Stanford has the sixth ranked rushing defense in the country. They are tops in the Pac-10 in total defense, rush defense, sacks per game, and points given up per game, at 17.0 per outing.
- Stanford has had only seven 3-and-outs all season. That is a truly ridiculous statistic.
- Stanford is 47-for-47 in the redzone this year. That is a truly more ridiculous statistic.
For more on the Cardinal, head over to Rule of Tree.