Stanford @ Oregon preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 12, 2011 ) Oregon 53, Stanford 30

Oregon has ascended to No. 1 in the country and has a clear - albeit dangerous - path to the BCS championship game. The Ducks can move one step closer to a national title when they host No. 13 Stanford on Saturday in a contest that could decide the Pac-12 Conference North Division. Oregon continued its stampede through the conference by overcoming a slow start in a 59-17 demolition of California to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 13 games. Stanford, a winner of four consecutive games since a 20-13 loss at Notre Dame on Oct. 13, is looking to do more than play spoiler against the Ducks. A victory Saturday will move the Cardinal into a tie atop the North Division, and put them in position to play for the conference championship.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Oregon -20.5

ABOUT STANFORD (8-2, 6-1 Pac-12): Quarterback Kevin Hogan turned in a dazzling performance in his first career start last week, guiding the Cardinal to a 27-23 victory over Oregon State. The redshirt freshman will face a daunting task in attempting to keep up with Oregon's race-horse offense. Hogan threw for 254 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 49 yards rushing last week. Running back Stepfan Taylor balanced the offense with 114 yards and a touchdown and went over 1,000 yards for the third straight season. Stanford's hopes could hinge on the ability of its top-ranked rushing defense (58.6 yards per game) to shut down an Oregon rushing attack that ranks third nationally with 325.1 yards.

ABOUT OREGON (10-0, 7-0 Pac-12): While the Ducks took over the top spot in the coaches poll, they are No. 2 behind Kansas State in the BCS standings - a fact that doesn't concern coach Chip Kelly. “It means absolutely nothing if we don’t go out and win this Saturday,” he said. Oregon had averaged more than 400 yards rushing in each of its three wins prior to last week's matchup with Cal, but got a stellar performance from quarterback Marcus Mariota, who tied a school record with six touchdown passes and a career-high 377 yards. Leading rusher Kenjon Barner, who shredded USC for 321 yards and five touchdowns the previous week, was held to 65 yards. The Ducks have scored more than 50 points seven times and are averaging a staggering 63.7 points in their last three.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Oregon has won nine of the last 10 meetings, including lopsided victories the past two seasons by scores of 53-30 and 52-31. The Cardinal haven't won at Autzen Stadium since 2001.

2. Taylor became the first player in school history to register three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

3. Oregon's average victory margin in Pac-12 play this season is 33.7 points.

PREDICTION: Oregon 45, Stanford 24