If you haven't paid close attention to the last few games between these two teams, you've been missing out. The Stanford - Oregon yearly matchup is turning into an annual shootout with crazy lead changes and momentum swings. Something tells me that this season will be much of the same.
In 2009, Stanford hosted then no. 7 Oregon and quickly raced out to a 17-point lead in the first half. Oregon fought back in the second half and cut the lead from twenty to six late in the game, but on the ensuing kickoff, the Cardinal was able to corrall the ball and hold on for a 52-41 win that cost the Ducks a chance at the BCS bowls. Toby Gerhart rushed for 223 yards and three touchdowns, and a young QB named Andrew Luck threw two more TDs.
Last year, no. 9 Stanford traveled up to Eugene to take on the no. 4 Ducks and quickly ran out to a 21-3 lead. They squandered their early lead again and this time Oregon took advantage. The Ducks win helped keep them rolling to the eventual National Championship game and in an interesting twist of fate, Stanford is poised to do just the same this year by staying undefeated.
The Oregon-Stanford rivalry is alive and well, and to remind you just how exciting tomorrow's game might be, here's some video highlights of the October 2nd, 2010 barnburner.