Oregon vs. Stanford: Andrew Luck Wins or Loses the Heisman in This Game

Every Heisman trophy winner has a signature game. Last season, it was Cam Newton embarrassing the vaunted Alabama defense. In 2008, it was Mark Ingram destroying the Florida defense in the SEC championship game.

This is Andrew Luck's moment.

To this point in the season, Luck has been very good. Luck has completed 194-of-272 passes for 2,424 yards and 28 total touchdowns. He did have a great comeback win against USC, but this game is the one everyone has circled.

Great players shine in big moments.

For the most part this season, Luck has not had to be great. There are players who are putting up bigger numbers than Luck, but that is because they had too. Luck has steered his team to a No. 4 BCS ranking and a 9-0 record.

The Cardinals are third in the nation in scoring, at 48.2 points per game. Their defense is No. 11 in the nation in scoring defense. However, tonight they face Oregon who is No.5 in the nation with 46.0 points per game.

With the speed the Ducks have, Luck will need to be precise. This shouldn’t be a game where he is good, but this should be where he shows that he is worthy of the hype.

Last season, the Ducks defeated the Cardinals 52-31. Luck was good completing 29-of-46 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns.

However, he did throw two interceptions. Tonight he must be perfect.

It is going to be tough for Stanford to get to the BCS national championship game without a loss from Oklahoma State or LSU. All they can do is play their best game tonight and hope Notre Dame comes to Stanford with a good record.

However, it is not so with the Heisman Trophy. The awards have been laid at his feet tonight. All he has to do is play up to his potential.

Make no mistake about it, Andrew Luck is the best player in the nation. He deserves the Heisman Trophy. Toby Gerhart deserved it in 2009, but he did not have the signature game and his team 9-0.

If Luck was asked to choose between a Heisman Trophy and a shot at the BCS national championship, he would choose the championship. However, it is not either/or in this situation.  If he plays at a Heisman Trophy level tonight, he will have the chance at the Championship and will lock up the Heisman.