The match-up between the Oregon Ducks and the Stanford Cardinals was set to be one of the best games of the year, and a game that would decide the fate of both teams heading into the final few games of the season. While many thought Oregon would win, or at least put up a lot of points, they were shutout for much of the game and lost to Stanford 26-20.

Oregon entered the game with an undefeated record, and while Stanford had lost one game coming in, they each have one loss as they prepare for the Pac-12 championship. The final score certainly does not show it, but the Oregon Ducks suffered a beating unlike any other in recent history, and before their late and desperate rally, they were down 26-0.

It is unfortunate that the Oregon-Stanford game could not have been the exciting game that everyone was expecting from two of the top teams in the country, but unfortunately one team just does not come with their full potential sometimes.

Too little, too late for Oregon. #Ducks spit the bit and choke once again.

— Tim Frisby (@impopsfrisby89) November 8, 2013

Stanford simply kicked Oregon's behind. More physical. Controlled ball, clock. Oregon lucky to just make it respectable late.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 8, 2013

For the past three years now, the Oregon Ducks have been one of the top teams in NCAA football, but just like the past two years, they have lost a big game and will likely lose out on another opportunity to make the BCS championship game.

The defensive coordinator and head coach are both trying to blame themselves for the loss, and coach Mark Helfrich said of the loss, “We didn’t get off to a good start offensively and on special teams, and that’s my fault, for whatever reason. Defensively, I thought we competed all day.”

Oregon ironically lost to Stanford with the same type of play calling and strategy that they used to win last year, when they played in Eugene. Stanford controlled much of the time of possession, running for 274 yards on 66 carries. The Heisman hopeful, Marcus Mariota, was also playing on a bad knee, and tweaked it more in the second half. He was forced to stick to the passing game, and rushed for -16 yards on three sacks.

Young boy from #Stanford ran the ball 45 times tonight to lead his team to a victory over #Oregon. That's just good old fashioned football.

— Lance Briggs (@LanceBriggs) November 8, 2013

The Oregon Ducks may have been one of the top few teams in the country going into last night’s game, but their performance agaisnt Stanford certianly did not show it. What will become of their post-season?

Image via Youtube