Just a few days away from Oregon's showdown against Stanford, Ducks running back De'Anthony Thomas provided the Cardinal with a little bulletin board material. Stanford held the Ducks to just 14 points on the way to winning in Eugene last season, but Thomas doesn't see that happening again.

Thomas believes the Ducks are better than they were this time last season, and when asked if Stanford could hold the team to 14 points again, Thomas said that would be unlikely.

"I don't think so. I feel like, this team, we should at least put up 40," Thomas said after practice Monday. He was also complimentary of Stanford's defense during the interview, noting that the unit has "great players."

Stanford's defense is allowing just 19.4 points per game and 4.7 yards per play this season. Still, there is reason for concern for the Cardinal that goes beyond the simple fact that Oregon is extremely talented. Stanford recently lost defensive lineman Ben Gardner -- one of its top pass rushers -- for the season.

Oregon has defensive concerns of its own, like getting sufficiently prepared for an unorthodox Stanford offense. For one thing, Stanford's passing game is more explosive in 2013, and Kevin Hogan is among the conference's leaders with an average of 8.5 yards per pass attempt.

The Ducks and Cardinal meet at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday night.

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