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Pac 12 Power Rankings Week 3: Can Stanford run the table?

By Michael Valverde

Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes against USC Trojans defensive back Marvell Tell III (7) during the first half of a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes against USC Trojans defensive back Marvell Tell III (7) during the first half of a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Josh Banderas (52) tackles Oregon Ducks running back Kani Benoit (29) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Josh Banderas (52) tackles Oregon Ducks running back Kani Benoit (29) in the second half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 35-32. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

Oregon Ducks defense falters when needed the most in loss to Nebraska

This is a game that Oregon should have won but didn’t because they deserved to lose. The Ducks were comfortably ahead 20-7 at one point in the second quarter, but somewhere in the process couldn’t keep the lead and by the end of the third quarter trailed 28-26. In the fourth, they claimed the lead once again with a touchdown run by running back Tony Brooks-James.

The loss could easily be attributed to the defense, but the offense became stagnant, and they failed to convert on two-point tries. Out of the five times, they went for two, they only made one. When you also throw in the penalties, its no surprise that the Ducks got their wings clipped.

In the fourth, they claimed the lead once again with a touchdown run by running back Tony Brooks-James. Nebraska came back two drives later and scored the go-ahead touchdown when quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. ran for a 34-yard score with just 2:29 seconds left to go in the game.

The new question now is what is the status of Royce Freeman who injured his leg in game action. Freeman is the most important cog in this offense and without him it will become sluggish. Quarterback Dakota Prukop has been solid (748 yards, 6 TDs, 0 INT) but he doesn’t command the attention that Freeman does. Reports suggest he could return in a week or two. Still, there are signs of duress in Eugene.

Reports suggest he could return in a week or two. Still, there are signs of duress in Eugene. Not only with how the offense will respond, but how is the defense going to react after blowing such a lead against an unranked team in Nebraska?

Answers will need to come soon and quick as they will face off against Colorado who have shown their grit by only losing once against a Michigan team ranked in the top five and they took the Wolverines down to the wire.

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