Oregon vs. Stanford: Prize Fight Scorecard

In week 5, fans of college football will be treated to a big time match-up out west.

This week the No. 9 ranked Stanford Cardinal head to Autzen Stadium to take on No. 4 ranked Oregon. This will also be the site for this week's gameday show.

Last year, the Ducks were coming off of a big win over USC and headed to Stanford, where they were handed their first conference loss of the year. This year, one of these teams will receive an early conference loss, while the other will take one step closer to winning the Pac-10.

Let's take a look at the match-ups between Oregon and Stanford.

Oregon Offensive Line Vs Stanford Defensive Line

Normally I would consider this a slam-dunk for Oregon, but the offensive line has not lived up to its preseason hype. They are not consistently opening holes in the running game and the pass coverage has lacked.

Stanford brings the 12th overall defense to Autzen and will take a lot of notes from the game film from Arizona State.

Advantage: Ducks (1-0)

At the end of the day, the offensive line will finally hit their stride.

Stanford Offensive Line Vs Oregon Defensive Line

While Oregon has done a nice job getting after quarterbacks this year, the run defense has proved to be a weakness again. Look for Stanford to try and pick up were they left off last year.

Stanford is going to look to line up with double tight ends and run it right at Oregon. Earlier this year, Tennessee proved you can have some success doing this.

Advantage: Stanford (1-1)

The run game of Stanford could give the Ducks defensive line serious issues all game long.

Oregon Backfield Vs Stanford Linebackers

Not many teams can matchup with the speed that Oregon has in its backfield. Between Darron Thomas, LaMichael James, and Kenjon Barner, the Ducks will keep Stanford on their toes.

The key to this matchup will be Darron Thomas and his decision making. If Stanford is going to take a lesson from ASU and try its hardest to get to the running back, Thomas has to show that he will keep it and bounce it the other way.

Advantage: Oregon (2-1)

Not many teams can keep up with the speed Oregon has. The only game changer would be if Thomas refuses to keep the ball on the option read. If he does that, this could easily flip to a Stanford advantage.

Stanford Backfield Vs Oregon Linebackers

Oregon has been getting solid play out of their linebacking core, but they are about to see a quarterback unlike any they have seen all year. Andrew Luck may be a top three quarterback this year and is capable of making NFL-type throws.

The key to Luck's success will be the success of the run game. If Stanford can get the running game going, Luck will be able to go to play-action and take his shots down field.

Advantage: Stanford (2-2)

Luck is amazing in the passing game. Oregon will have to try and keep him in 2nd and 3rd and long to have a chance at containing him.

Oregon Wide Receivers Vs Stanford Secondary

The Ducks' receiving core is starting to improve. Going into the year, Jeff Maehl was the only target teams had to worry about. Since the year started, David Paulson, Josh Huff and Lavasier Tuinei have all provided big plays in the Ducks' throwing game.

The key to this match-up will probably again be Darron Thomas and his ability to read the defense. The Ducks found a lot of success last week when running the option read and using a third option of throwing the ball out into the flat.

Advantage: Oregon (3-2)

The Ducks showed that the option read isn't a two headed monster by including the wide receiver screen into it. This play paid off big against ASU and will do so against Stanford.

Stanford Wide Receivers Vs Oregon Secondary

Stanford comes into the game with a solid receiving core with Doug Baldwin, Chris Owusu and Ryan Whalen. All three have the potential to make big catches and stretch the secondary.

Oregon has seen solid play in the secondary, but last week against ASU Talmadge Jackson may have been exposed.

Advantage: Stanford (3-3)

As much I tried to convince myself it was an Oregon advantage, it isn't. Luck will have certainly watched the film of teams going after Jackson and will follow suit.

Oregon Special Teams Vs Stanford Special Teams

Both teams are solid in special teams. Oregon has seen exceptional play out of Jackson Rice punting and Kenjon Barner and Cliff Harris returning. I expect these three players to play huge roles in Saturday's big game.

Advantage: Oregon (4-3)

With Kenjon Barner and Cliff Harris returning kicks, they can change a game in a flash. When these two get in the open field, it generally ends up in a score.

Recap

Overall the advantage plays out 4-3 in Oregon's favor. The last factor that cannot be overlooked is the home field advantage that Oregon will have this year. Playing at Autzen Stadium for your home conference opener, in your first game with a full student section, with school just starting—all of this puts Oregon at a huge advantage.

Game Prediction: Oregon 45 Stanford 35