Stanford loaded for Bear after USC loss

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In one sense, it's like last year all over again for Stanford. The Cardinal were coming off a tough road loss - an overtime decision to Notre Dame that ended in controversy - when they played the Bears and rolled them 21-3.

This time, the Cardinal go into the Big Game having lost a 20-17 heartbreaker at USC. They'll have a huge advantage over the Bears in practically every statistical department.

Head coach David Shaw said Tuesday he won't have any problems getting his team motivated even though it is a 31 1/2-point favorite.

"Particularly coming off a loss, our guys can't wait to get back on the field," he said. "There's going to be energy, and there's going to be fire because it's the Big Game and because there's going to be that Big Game atmosphere."

To return to the Rose Bowl, the Cardinal (8-2, 6-2 Pac-12) need to beat Cal (1-10, 0-8) and hope that Oregon is upset by either Arizona or Oregon State. In the meantime, Stanford has dropped from fourth to ninth in the BCS and from fifth to 10th in the Associated Press poll.

Most bowl projections have Stanford going to the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Dec. 30 against a Big 12 team. That would be a let-down for a team that was thinking roses until USC's Andre Heidari hit a 47-yard field goal with 19 seconds left Saturday night.

It's also possible that Stanford could slip to the Holiday Bowl if it loses to either Cal or Notre Dame.

Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery, right, can't get to a ball intended for him as Southern California safety Dion Bailey during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in Los Angeles. USC won 20-17. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) less Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery, right, can't get to a ball intended for him as Southern California safety Dion Bailey during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, in ... more Photo: Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press Photo: Mark J. Terrill, Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Stanford loaded for Bear after USC loss 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

In any case, Shaw said his team can't afford to be smug about anything.

"We've shown that we have weaknesses," he said. "Don't think for one second that we can not give this game everything we have."

Shaw said the Bears' recent loss to USC demonstrated that they have weapons on offense.

"Say what you want about their record, they've got good receivers, they've got good backs, they've got speed and athleticism," he said. "They've got an outstanding young quarterback. They can put points up if you're not ready for them."

That said, he was referring to a game that Cal lost 62-28.