Cal vs. Stanford: Cardinal Will Bounce Back Huge from Oregon Defeat

The Stanford Cardinal are going to get back to winning ways when they take on California in Palo Alto on Saturday. 

After a crushing 53-30 defeat last weekend, the Cardinal hope to bounce back against the Golden Bears. 

It would suck to be Cal this weekend. They're facing an impossible task. 

The following is a slideshow about why the Stanford Cardinal are going to defeat the California Golden Bears. 

Andrew Luck

Andrew Luck did not have his best game against the Oregon Ducks. The Heisman Trophy favorite threw for 256 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Luck is a passionate quarterback. He doesn't like to lose, and he is as competitive a college football player as there is in the nation.

Expect Andrew Luck to have a monster game on Saturday. He is going to lead the Cardinal onto the field and produce an annihilation of the California defense. 

California's Away Peformances

The California Golden Bears have been a poor team away from home this season. 

The Berkley outfit has just one win in their four away games. That win was an overtime victory over Colorado, who has undoubtedly been the worst team in the Pac-12 this season. 

Now, the Bears travel to Palo Alto to take on a school ranked ninth in the nation. 

There is absolutely no chance that California can pull off this upset. Their away form has been too poor, and it is much too big of a task for the Golden Bears.  

Stanford Offense

Stepfan Taylor has led the Stanford Cardinal rushing game this season. 

The running back has accrued 990 yards and eight touchdowns this season. Both of those are team highs. 

Stanford is not a one-dimensional team. They are a side that can get the job done on the ground and in the air. 

The balance in Stanford's attack makes them a team that troubles even the best defenses. 

This is an asset that will help the Cardinal bounce back from their loss against Oregon. 

They Have to Win This Game

Stanford has to win this football game. A failure to do so would result in this season becoming a failure for the team. 

The Cardinal are in great position to qualify for a BCS bowl game. 

Should they lose this weekend to the California Golden Bears, there is no question that they would fail to do so. 

Andrew Luck knows what he has to do. Head coach David Shaw knows what he has to do. This Stanford team is going to go out there and do what they have to do. 

They're going to destroy the Golden Bears of California on Saturday.