No. 4 ranked Oregon Ducks versus the No.9 ranked Stanford Cardinals in years passed would probably mean very little to the BCS picture in years past, but in 2010 this game is a very big deal. This Pac 10 game has BCS implications written all over it, and two different styles of offense will test the wills of each defense. It will truly be two a high-flying Pac 10 teams in a fight.

Oregon can score in bunches almost at will, but it Cardinal offense that is far from what everyone has been accustomed to when you talk about Stanford. The Cardinals will run the ball attack you through the air but above all they are more physical squad than in the past.

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Cardinals’ quarterback Andrew Luck is what make these birds soar. A big game with his pinpoint accuracy is a must to make the Oregon sitting ducks. They also have two capable running backs in Stephan Taylor and Tyler Gaffney to shred a Ducks’ defense that is known to give up a lot of yardage to the opposing offense. To keep the Ducks’ explosive offense off the field, the running game must be ready to carry the ball a ton and control the clock.

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Ducks’ motto this season should be “have ball will score” because the offense has been near impossible to shutdown. When fewest points scored are 42 points so far this season, it just spells potent offense. At the center of this high-flying offense is the quarterback Darren Thomas. He can beat you with his arm and mobile enough to be a running threat as well. LaMichael James is the running back who leads the run by committee approach employed by the Ducks. Remene Alston and Kenjon Barner will see action in the backfield when James is on the sidelines. James will be nightmare for the Cardinals defense if he is not stopped early and often.

Cardinals’ defense will be the difference in this pivotal Pac 10 game. By far, they have shown they can put the clamps on an offense. It will be a test, because the Cardinals have not faced an offense of the Ducks’ magnitude. Defense has managed to hold opposing offenses to just under 14 points per game. It is a big plus the defense does not allow opposing teams rack up a lot of yardage which translates to more 3 and out series and more chances for Luck and the offense to drive down the field.

Ducks’ defense keeps opposing teams out of the end zone, but they allow opposing offenses a lot of yardage. The bend do not break mentality may not be enough to stop the Cardinals. When the defense is only allowing 11.0 points per game, and it provides time for an offense that averages over 55 points game then that usually means victory.

The winner of this game will be the defense that will dig in and make enough stops. It will be high scoring event and I expect the Cardinals to pull off the upset. I think the Cardinals’ defense is strong enough to make few stops when needed.