Oregon vs. Stanford: Game of the Week Breakdown

The No. 4 Stanford Cardinal will host the No. 7 Oregon Ducks in Week 11. Both teams are fighting for the Pac-12 crown and a shot at the BCS National Championship game.

Stanford enters the game 9-0 after defeating Oregon State handily in Week 10. However, the Cardinal failed to jump into the top three of the BCS poll. Despite Alabama's Week 10 loss to LSU, the Cardinal were left to tread water at No. 4.

Oregon defeated Washington in Week 10 to move to 8-1. The Ducks only loss came to LSU in Week 1, and that loss continues to look better after each LSU victory.

The loser of this game will be left with an outside chance at a Pac-12 championship berth. The winner controls their own destiny coming into the final stretch of the season.

Here is how this monstrous Pac-12 matchup breaks down...

The Quarterbacks

Andrew Luck is the best quarterback and probably the best overall player in college football. He is the most NFL-ready player, without a doubt.

Luck has 2,424 passing yards this season to go with 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. His machine-like efficiency rings true with his 71 percent completion rate. He also has two rushing touchdowns.

Luck is Stanford's unquestioned leader. He provides stability and skill to an offense without superstar skill players. His throwing ability and mobility make him a truly special collegiate quarterback.

Oregon is led by Darron Thomas. Thomas is talented, but very different from Luck.

Thomas has over 1,500 yards to go with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has two rushing touchdowns, but is more of a ground threat than his numbers suggest.

Bryan Bennett could also see snaps behind center as a change of pace. He averages nine yards per carry in limited action as Thomas' backup.

Thomas and Bennett provide an athletic combination, but take Luck's efficiency and throwing ability over Oregon's athleticism in this one.

The Running Backs

Oregon and Stanford both rely on their rushing attacks, but in very different ways.

Stanford uses a traditional, straight-ahead approach while Oregon uses speed, finesse and several bells and whistles.

The Cardinal will split their carries among several capable runners. Stepfan Taylor, Tyler Gaffney, Jeremy Stewart and Anthony Wilkerson will all add their talents to the Stanford offense in Week 11.

Taylor and Gaffney each average over six yards per carry. Wilkerson and Stewart don't, but Stewart does have seven touchdowns.

LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas will split rushing duties for the Ducks. These three players have speed to kill.

James has over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns, and is averaging eight yards per tote.

Barner and Thomas also provide home-run threats. They have combined for 13 touchdowns and both average well-over six yards per carry.

Stanford's rushing attack is solid and consistent. Oregon's is flashy, and simply dynamic.

The Ducks get the edge. You can't coach speed.

The Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Stanford relies heavily on their tight ends for receiving production every week. With Chris Owusu out in Week 11, the tight ends will be even more important.

Coby Fleener, Zach Ertz and Levine Toilolo form an excellent trio of tight ends.

Fleener has eight touchdowns on just 20 catches, and averages over 20 yards a catch. His ability to stretch the field causes major matchup problems for opposing defenses.

Ertz and Toilolo have combined for seven touchdowns and 39 catches.

Oregon will rely on Lavasier Tuinei, Josh Huff and playmaker De'Anthony Thomas to stretch the field. Tight end David Paulson will work the middle of the field.

Tuinei has seven touchdowns. He is the Ducks best overall receiver and could exploit a questionable Stanford secondary.

Stanford does not have a go-to receiver, but their tight ends fit their offensive capabilities perfectly.

The Offensive Lines

Each offensive line will play a very important role in this matchup.

Stanford's offensive line must give Andrew Luck ample time to throw as well as make a push for the Cardinal run game. Led by Johnathan Martin and David DeCastro, this unit should be able to do this against an inexperienced Oregon front four. 

If the Stanford offensive line can provide protection for both aspects of the offense, it could be a long day for Oregon's defense.

Oregon's offensive line must protect Darron Thomas and give him time to survey the field. More importantly, they must create gaps through which Oregon's speedsters can shoot.

Stanford's defense is very physical. Oregon's ability to push up front and open holes could determine the outcome of this game.

The Defensive Lines

Neither teams' defensive line brings star power to the field. However, both units will play a very important role.

Stanford's defensive line may lack a star, but they are solid unit. Blue-collar, hard-working and very tough in the trenches.

The Stanford line must hold the point of attack. If they allow Oregon's running backs to get to the next level unimpeded, it will be a struggle all night long for the Cardinal.

Oregon's line must find a way to disrupt Andrew Luck's rhythm. They must also contain Luck and not let him outside of the pocket. He is very good at making plays while on the move.

If Oregon's defensive line can stifle the Cardinal run game, it will disrupt Stanford's consistency. Taking away the run game negates play-action passing, and Luck is deadly after faking the run.

The Linebackers

Chase Thomas must continue his leadership and production for the Cardinal defense in Week 11.

Thomas currently has 35 tackles and 6.5 tackles for losses. He is the Cardinal's leader and best defensive playmaker. 

Stanford's linebackers must control the middle of the field. They must now allow LaMichael James and company to run rampant. Open-field tackling has never been more important for the Cardinal.

Oregon's linebackers must make sure that Stanford's tight ends are kept under wraps. Also, with Stanford's depth at running back, the Oregon linebackers must stay fresh.

If the Ducks let Stanford's tight ends run rampant, there will be easy pickings for Andrew Luck.

The Secondaries

Johnson Bademosi will be the most scrutinized member of the Stanford secondary.

Bademosi is big for a cornerback, but his size hinders his speed and athleticism at times. With Oregon's speed, this could become a problem.

Oregon's top corner is Cliff Harris. Harris is a true cover corner and is dynamic with the ball in his hands. With Stanford's lack of production at receiver, Harris may not be as noticeable in Week 11 as the Ducks would like him to be.

No unit will face more pressure in this game than Oregon's secondary. Andrew Luck is surgical in the pocket. If given time to throw, the Oregon secondary will be under constant siege.

The Kickers

Alejandro Maldonado handles kicking duties for the Ducks along with Rob Beard.

Maldonado is 5-of-9 on the season with a long of 40 yards. Beard is just 2-of-2 with a long of 30 yards.

The Ducks' lack of experience on long attempts could be an area of concern in a highly-contested matchup.

Jordan Williamson is the Cardinal placekicker. He is 11-of-12 on the season with a long of 45 yards.

The kicking game is always important, especially in close games. Neither team can afford to give away easy points.

Conclusion and Prediction

Last season, the Ducks got the better of Andrew Luck and the Cardinal. The Cardinal were strong early, but Oregon's frenetic offensive pace became too much for the methodical Stanford squad.

This season, this Stanford team is better. Luck is better, too.

Oregon's offense will score points, no doubt about it. However, the Oregon defense will struggle to stop Stanford's balanced approach on offense.

Stanford's defense must make tackles in the open field, and not allow the Oregon playmakers to get to the secondary unimpeded. If they cannot accomplish that, it will be a very long day for David Shaw.

Stanford may not be battle-tested just yet.

Luck is the best player in college football this season, and he knows what is on the line. A BCS National Championship berth, and possibly Heisman consideration as well.

Look for Luck to avenge last season's loss and grab a victory.

Final score: Stanford 35 Oregon 31