Stanford offense vs. Oregon defense: The Cardinal's vaunted running game should flourish against a defense that allows 149.2 yards rushing per game. Stanford's Stepfan Taylor can go over the 1,000-yard barrier with 98 yards or more. Cardinal coach David Shaw will make sure Taylor stays fresh by rotating backs. The Cardinal needs to score touchdowns at all costs, not field goals, because points should be at a premium. Cardinal quarterback Andrew Luck may be throwing with a wet ball, minus wideout Chris Owusu (35 receptions) and, perhaps, tight end Zach Ertz (22 rec.). Even with those hindrances, Stanford should pile up over 50 points. Edge: Stanford
Stanford defense vs. Oregon offense: Oregon's balance and speed make its spread-option Quack Attack difficult to defend. The Ducks are averaging 510.7 yards in total offense and 46.0 points per game. Pressure is on the Cardinal secondary to not give up big pass plays as well as to pursue Duck ball carriers on run plays. Cardinal personnel can't assume others will make the tackle or else it's 6 points. Expect Stanford co-defensive coordinators Jason Tarver and Derek Mason to mix it up, with packages ranging from a 3-man rush to an all-out blitz. Edge: Oregon
Special teams: The Ducks have the more threatening return game with red-hot true freshman De'Anthony Thomas, LaMichael James and Kenyon Barner available. Stanford's kickoff return game relies on true freshman Ty
Coaching: Stanford coach David Shaw, at 9-0, has done a remarkable job in his first year and should be the leading candidate for Pac-12 coach of the year. Oregon's Chip Kelly, 30-5 in three seasons, is the mastermind of one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Edge: Even
Intangibles: Home-field advantage and potential rain find the Cardinal a slight favorite. The stadium will be full to the brim with mostly red. Don't short-change Duck fans, who will arrive in droves and yell like the dickens. A lot on the line -- a berth in the inaugural Pac-12 title game, in all probability. Stanford could rise to No. 2 in the BCS Rankings with a victory. The Ducks might get back into the top five should they prevail. Turnovers, especially if it's wet, could very well decide this one. The game could be one of the greatest games played at Stanford Stadium by game's end. Is that the smell of overtime in the air? Slight edge: Stanford
Stanford defense vs. Oregon offense: Oregon's balance and speed make its spread-option Quack Attack difficult to defend. The Ducks are averaging 510.7 yards in total offense and 46.0 points per game. Pressure is on the Cardinal secondary to not give up big pass plays as well as to pursue Duck ball carriers on run plays. Cardinal personnel can't assume others will make the tackle or else it's 6 points. Expect Stanford co-defensive coordinators Jason Tarver and Derek Mason to mix it up, with packages ranging from a 3-man rush to an all-out blitz. Edge: Oregon
Special teams: The Ducks have the more threatening return game with red-hot true freshman De'Anthony Thomas, LaMichael James and Kenyon Barner available. Stanford's kickoff return game relies on true freshman Ty
Coaching: Stanford coach David Shaw, at 9-0, has done a remarkable job in his first year and should be the leading candidate for Pac-12 coach of the year. Oregon's Chip Kelly, 30-5 in three seasons, is the mastermind of one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Edge: Even
Intangibles: Home-field advantage and potential rain find the Cardinal a slight favorite. The stadium will be full to the brim with mostly red. Don't short-change Duck fans, who will arrive in droves and yell like the dickens. A lot on the line -- a berth in the inaugural Pac-12 title game, in all probability. Stanford could rise to No. 2 in the BCS Rankings with a victory. The Ducks might get back into the top five should they prevail. Turnovers, especially if it's wet, could very well decide this one. The game could be one of the greatest games played at Stanford Stadium by game's end. Is that the smell of overtime in the air? Slight edge: Stanford
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