STANFORD, Calif. -- Fighting to become bowl eligible this late in the season isnt something that Stanford coach David Shaw is accustomed to, which might explain his reluctance to talk about the subject.The Cardinal have won three of the last four Pac-12 championships and entered the season heavily favored to keep the trend going. Instead, Stanford (3-3, 5-3) has been a middle-of-the-pack team slowed by injuries and an inconsistent offense.A win Saturday against Oregon State (1-4, 2-6) would ease some of the sting and make Stanford bowl eligible for the sixth time since Shaw replaced Jim Harbaugh in 2011, though Shaw prefers that not be the focus.Thats for everybody outside of our small world to think about, which bowl game to think about, where you might finish, Shaw said. All we can do is try to play our best football. To look any further past the horizon is unnecessary.Stanford won the Pac-12 title in 2012, 2013 and 2015, playing in the Rose Bowl each time. The Cardinal also played in the Fiesta Bowl in Shaws first season and in the Foster Farms Bowl last year.The Rose Bowl is no longer a possibility this year, so Stanford will have to settle for playing elsewhere in the postseason.The Cardinal have history on their side against Oregon State, having won the last six games between the two conference rivals.The Beavers have lost three straight and five of six overall. They are coming off a 35-31 loss to Washington State, which is tied for the North Division lead.Well have to answer the toughness bell in this week, Oregon State coach Gary Andersen said. I think weve done a good job with that this year when weve matched up against people that want to stand up and throw some heavy, big-boy punches.Here are a few other things to look for when Stanford hosts Oregon State on Saturday afternoon:DUAL THREAT: Stanfords backfield is no longer the sole territory of 2015 Heisman Trophy candidate Christian McCaffrey. Bryce Love, who filled in when McCaffrey sat out the Oct. 22 loss to Colorado with an undisclosed injury, has continued to be a key part of the Cardinals running game now that McCaffrey is healthy. The duo combined for 247 rushing yards during last weeks win at Arizona and Shaw said he intends to continue to use both backs moving forward.UGWOEGBU BENCHED: Oregon State outside linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu will spend the first half on the bench after being flagged for targeting following a hit on Washington State quarterback Luke Falk last week. Ugwoegbu has 5 + sacks and is tied for second in the Pac-12 with 11 tackles for loss.CHRYSTS SECOND START: Junior quarterback Keller Chryst will make his second straight start after replacing inconsistent Ryan Burns against the Wildcats. Chryst, whose father Geep served as offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers in 2015, passed for 104 yards and one touchdown in his debut.NALL OR NOTHING: Sophomore running back Ryan Nall has had two big games for the Beavers this season, including last weeks loss to Washington State when he ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns. Nall rushed for a career-high 221 yards and three touchdowns against California on Oct. 8 but has only 243 yards total in his other five games this season.Baltimore Orioles Gear . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season. Cheap Orioles Jerseys . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. https://www.cheaporioles.com/ . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Baltimore Orioles Pro Shop . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. Stitched Orioles Jerseys . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home.Some of the NBAs biggest stars seem to have an affinity for Americas Team. Can you blame them? The Dallas Cowboys, led by rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, have the best record in the NFL and a nine-game winning streak for the first time in franchise history.Heres a look at some of the biggest Dallas Cowboys fans in the NBA.There are few records that havent been broken by three-time NBA champion LeBron James. Here, he might have broken the record for the number of letters used to praise Elliott.This ones a no-brainer: He hails from Dallas and happens to love his hometown team. Ladies and gentlemen, king of the Cowboys meme: LaMarcus Aldridge.The L.A. Rams are new to the city, but they need not attempt to gain the affection of Clippers point guard Chris Paul. CP3 is part of the Cowboys faithful and has the merchandise to prove it:John Wall has more guts than most.dddddddddddd The Cowboys fan and three-time NBA All-Star rocked his teams jersey deep in Washington Redskins territory. That takes guts.Russell Westbrook showed off his Cowboys fandom with a Dez Bryant jersey, while his mom rocked a Tony Romo jersey. The love for the NFC East leaders -- a family affair.Dez Bryant seems to be a fan favorite among NBA players who love the team, as Clippers big man DeAndre Jordan aggressively displays here:NBA champion J.R. Smith might just take the cake as a true Cowboys fanatic. If Smiths consistent Dallas Cowboy-related posts on social media dont display his fandom clearly enough for you, meet his two dogs: Dallas and Cowboy.Legendary. ' ' '