Oregon vs Stanford: The Biggest X-Factor for Both Teams

With last weekend’s “Game of the Century” between LSU and Alabama now in the books, it’s time to turn our attention to the next Top 10 showdown on the slate: No. 7 Stanford at No. 4 Oregon.

The Cardinal will put their undefeated record on the line when they welcome in the Ducks for Saturday night’s pivotal Pac-12 showdown that will likely determine which team represents the conference in a BCS bowl game.

Stanford is still stinging after last year’s second-half collapse up in Eugene, which cost the Cardinal a shot at a perfect season, a conference championship and a national title appearance.

It will be interesting to see if superstar quarterback Andrew Luck can rally his crew and avenge that loss against an Oregon team that has been running all over opponents this year.

The Cardinal may have the more balanced attack, but the Ducks are always dangerous. This one is definitely a must-watch game for any true college football fan.

Here’s a look at the X-Factors for both teams, which will likely determine who survives and grabs hold of the lead in the Pac-12 North division.

Oregon's X-Factor: QB Darron Thomas

Last year, QB Darron Thomas used last year's game against Stanford as his coming out party, announcing himself to the college football world by beating the Cardinal in a national spotlight game.

Thomas went on to lead the Ducks to a an undefeated regular season, a conference championship and a berth in the national title game. His breakout performance as a sophomore led many to believe that he was one of the premier players in the Pac-12 and that he was headed for a huge season this year.

Because of injuries and erratic play, though, Thomas hasn’t lived up to the hype yet. Some have even gone so far as to wonder if freshman Bryan Bennett might be the better option.

Thomas hasn’t been bad by any means, as he’s completed 60 percent of his passes, thrown 19 touchdowns and led one of the most efficient offenses in the country. But his performance has left people wanting a little more.

Now, he’ll have a great opportunity to finally make a statement when he leads the Ducks into Stanford Stadium on Saturday night.

If Thomas is on his game, it’s almost impossible to contain Oregon’s explosive spread attack, but if he’s inconsistent, there’s definitely room to take advantage of his miscues.

Stanford is the type of team that knows how to pressure a quarterback, and it will be interesting to see how Thomas handles the ferocity of the Cardinal defense on Saturday night.

Stanford's X-Factor: The Defensive Front

Stanford’s defensive front seven let the team down in last year’s meeting, giving up 388 yards on the ground in the 52-31 defeat. The Cardinal will definitely have to tighten up if they want to win this year’s meeting.

This year’s defensive front is much better equipped to contain Oregon’s powerful rushing attack. Stanford currently ranks third in the country in rush defense, giving up an average of just 78 yards on the ground per game.

OLB Chase Thomas has stepped up to be the leader of the defense after Shayne Skov went down for the season earlier in the year.

Thomas will have to make an impact off the edge if Stanford wants to contain Oregon’s deadly rushing trio of LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas.

If the Cardinal can play sound and disciplined defense up front, they should fare much better this time around.

Prediction: Stanford 37, Oregon 30

It’s tough to compare these two teams, because Oregon has the clear-cut athletic advantage at the skill positions, but Stanford has the strength advantage in the trenches.

That’s what makes this matchup so interesting.

When it comes right down to it, though, if I have the choice to take the team with the better quarterback (in this case, the best in the country), the better offensive line, the home-field advantage and the revenge factor, I’m going to take that team 10 times out of 10.

In this case, that’s Stanford.

Like always, Oregon’s offense is tough to pick against, but this time around, I think Stanford has the horses to get the job done and keep its perfect season intact.