Stanford, Oregon State trying to spark turnarounds

Published Oct. 24, 2014 12:48 p.m. ET

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STANFORD, Calif. (AP) Oregon State and Stanford have been throwbacks in the Pac-12 the past few years.

Both run pro-style offenses, feature physical defenses and are in no hurry to break the huddle. Heck, they might be the only two teams in the up-tempo conference that still huddle before most plays.

This season they share another trait: disappointing starts.

The two-time defending Pac-12 champion Cardinal (4-3, 2-2) fell out of The Associated Press poll for the first time in four years after losing 26-10 at Arizona State last week. The Beavers (4-2, 1-2) have dropped two of their first three conference games.

The winner between Oregon State and Stanford on Saturday will control its destiny in the North Division and become the leading contender to upend No. 6 Oregon in the race for a spot in the league championship game.