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Oregon Ducks a Real Title Threat After Overcoming Stanford Jinx

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By @writered21

Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

For the last two years, the Oregon Ducks were able to impose their will on just about everyone, playing at a fast pace and putting up points at a faster rate than most pinball machines. But one thing they couldn’t do is figure out the Stanford Cardinal.

In both 2012 and 2013, the Cardinal slowed things down, used their pro-style offense to control the tempo of the game and beat the Ducks by relatively normal scores of 17-14 (OT) and 26-20. But now, the Oregon Ducks must be considered true national playoff contenders despite being a one loss team after Oregon destroyed Stanford, 45-16, at home Saturday night.

This game had the look and feel of being one that was much more to Oregon’s liking, and it’s definitely a good sign for this team that the Ducks were able to control the game against a quality opponent such as Stanford, just like they did against Michigan State earlier this season in a 46-27 blowout. Stanford and Michigan State probably possess the two best defenses the Ducks (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) are going to see this season, and Oregon combined to score 91 points and post 1,016 yards of total offense.

Of the three regular-season games Oregon has left, the next one figures to be the toughest — at Utah, who at 3-1 in the conference is in the race to possibly win the South Division and make it to the Pac-12 Championship Game. Oregon follows that with a home game against Colorado and then at arch-rival Oregon State. It’s all but certain, barring some really strange results from here on in, that Oregon is going to win the Pac-12 North, likely leaving Utah, Arizona State or Arizona as the opponent. None will be easy, though Oregon is the best team of the four.

One key in Oregon’s favor is the Ducks’ balance. In Saturday’s win, the Ducks ran for 267 yards and passed for 258. Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota went 19-for-30 against a good defense and three Ducks (including Mariota) ran for at least 63 yards. Oregon’s defense did its part, holding a run-minded Stanford team to just 131 yards rushing on 40 attempts. Oregon also showed a great ability to finish, outscoring Stanford 21-3 after halftime.

With No. 4 Mississippi falling at home to No. 3 Auburn, No. 5 Oregon should move into the “Playoff 4″ this week when the rankings are released on Tuesday night. The Ducks should be expected to stay there, too.

Ed Morgans is an ACC Basketball Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @writered21 and add him to your network on Google.

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