Oregon Ducks Football: 10 Reasons The Ducks Will Defeat The Stanford Cardinal

Everyone will be watching on Saturday night as the ninth-ranked Stanford Cardinal travel to Autzen Stadium to face the fourth-ranked Oregon Ducks.

ESPN’s College Gameday will be there as the wide-open Pac-10 will begin to take shape as the two best teams in the conference take the field.

The Oregon students are calling for a “black-out” and the atmosphere in Autzen should be electric. 

This game will be close, but in the end, the Oregon Ducks will come away with the victory at home. 

In no particular order, the 10 reasons the Ducks defeat the Cardinal are…

LaMichael James

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back LaMichael James #21of the Oregon Ducks heads to the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Portland State Vikings at Autzen Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won

Despite missing the first game of the season, LaMichael James has already rushed for almost 500 yards in 2010. James is the key to the Oregon offense and has the big play ability necessary to provide the Ducks' offense with a necessary spark.

James’ past five touchdown runs have come from 35, 52, 66, 72, and 40 yards. James has only played in 16 games, but is already over 2,000 yards for his career. If Stanford wants to stay in the game, they need to contain LaMichael James.

Oregon’s Defense

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Linebacker Casey Matthews #55 of the Oregon Ducks (L) and free safety John Boyett #20 of the Oregon Ducks (R) gang up to tackle running back Demond Dennis #1 of the New Mexico Lobos in the first quarter of the game at Autzen Sta

Despite giving up almost 600 yards of offense last week, the Oregon defense is still very talented. Stanford runs a more traditional offense in comparison to ASU’s spread attack. The traditional offense should be easier for the Ducks to defend.

Oregon has been able to get pressure on the quarterback in every game this year and will pressure Andrew Luck on Saturday. The Oregon defense has scored at least one touchdown in every game this year. They have shown they are capable of big plays and there is no reason to think they won’t perform well this weekend.

Andrew Luck’s Youth

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PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal runs on his way to a touchdown against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Stanford Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Andrew Luck is a very good quarterback. In fact, after Jake Locker’s performance against Nebraska, some could argue that Locker is the best in the conference. However, Luck had his worst game of the season last week and showed signs of youth.

When he was under pressure, he showed inexperience by throwing the ball up for grabs. Notre Dame intercepted him twice, and the Oregon defense will also take advantage of poor decision making.

Oregon’s defense has a lot of speed and applies pressure to the quarterback. Luck should have success throwing the ball, but needs to have sound decision making when he is under pressure.

Autzen Stadium

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: The crowd at Autzen Stadium makes some noise during the game between the Oregon Ducks and the New Mexico Lobos on September 4, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Autzen Stadium is arguably the loudest stadium in the country. The Ducks are a very good home team and take full advantage of their sell-out crowds. Saturday night’s Top 10 matchup is sure to get the fans pumped up and louder than normal. This is a tough place to play and communicate regardless of who the opponent is, but when the opponent is a Top 10 team who upset the Ducks a year ago, watch out.

Autzen will be electric Saturday night and could help swing the momentum in the Ducks' favor.

Revenge

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Toby Gerhart #7 of the Stanford Cardinal is congratulated by fans after they beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Stanford Stadium on November 28, 2009 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Last year, the Stanford Cardinal defeated the Oregon Ducks 51-42 in Stanford. Toby Gerhart ran all over the Ducks and the loss was Oregon’s lone conference loss a year ago.

I can guarantee you the Ducks have not forgotten the loss and they will want to show the Cardinal they are the best team in the Pac-10.

After an ugly win last week, Oregon will be focused and prepared. Expect Oregon to be back to form this week.

Darron Thomas

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Quarterback Darron Thomas #1 of the Oregon Ducks rolls out of the pocket in the second quarter of the game against the New Mexico Lobos at Autzen Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Oregon won the game 72-0. (Photo

Quarterback Darron Thomas struggled at times against ASU, but kept his poise and led the Ducks to a victory. Thomas is young and continues to improve as the season progresses.

Saturday will be a big stage for Thomas, but he has already performed well in front of big crowds at Tennessee and Arizona State. Thomas will be more comfortable at home and should play well against Stanford.

Kenjon Barner

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 04: Running back Kenjon Barner #24 of the Oregon Ducks breaks loose for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the New Mexico Lobos at Autzen Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Barner had 225 total yards

Kenjon Barner was injured during the ASU game and was limited. Barner only had one carry and struggled catching punts and kickoffs.

Barner will be healthy this week and should have a bigger role in the offense. Barner is one of the best return men in the country and will provide a boost to the Oregon rushing attack as he complements LaMichael James.

Stanford’s First True Test

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SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 25: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Stanford Cardinal smiles at Jonathan Martin #55 after a play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on September 25, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Stanford defeated Notre Da

Stanford’s one road game is against the 1-3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Stanford looked impressive in the win, but the environment at Autzen is something the Cardinal have not yet experienced.

If Stanford is shell-shocked and rattled early, they could be in for a long game.

No Toby Gerhart

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PALO ALTO, CA - NOVEMBER 07: Toby Gerhart #7 of the Stanford Cardinal runs with the ball during the first half of their game against the Oregon Ducks at Stanford Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

When the Cardinal upset the Ducks last year, Toby Gerhart rushed for 223 yards and three touchdowns.

Stanford currently ranks 19^th in the country in rushing, but their current backs do not compare to Gerhart. The Ducks’ defense will be happy to see someone besides Gerhart lining up in the Stanford backfield.

Speed

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EUGENE, OR - SEPTEMBER 18: Cornerback Cliff Harris #13 of the Oregon Ducks returns a punt as punter Robert Truax #17 of the Portland State Vikings closes in during the first quarter of the game at Autzen Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon. Or

Oregon is one of the fastest teams in the country. Their offense is fast, their defense is fast, and their play calling and tempo are also fast. Most teams can keep up with Oregon early, but have trouble keeping up with the Ducks as the game wears on because the Ducks' speed and depth is hard to match.

Stanford prefers a slow-paced game and it will be interesting to see how its defense handles the fast-paced Oregon offense.