Editor's Note: Stanford coach David Shaw officially ruled Chris Owusu out for Saturday's game.
The Stanford Cardinal prepare for the biggest game of their season on Saturday when the Oregon Ducks come to town. Heisman hopeful Andrew Luck and the Cardinal look to avenge last year's loss and keep their BCS title hopes alive, but it appears that they will have to do so without receiver Chris Owusu this week.
The chances of Owusu's return, following his third concussion in 13 months last week against Oregon State, seem doubtful for Saturday's game. The senior sustained a hard hit by Beavers cornerback Jordan Poyer in the second quarter and had to leave the contest as a result.
His absence hurts a Stanford pass attack that has already beenstruck by injury. The Cardinal will also be without tight end Zach Ertz- who injured his knee during the opening kickoff of the team's 56-48 thrilling triple overtime win over USC- on Saturday. Owusu and Ertz account for roughly 27% of Stanford's receiving yards this year, and other players such as Griff Whlaen and Coby Fleener will need to step up in order to keep pace with the Ducks.
Led by Luck, the Cardinal sport the nation's 23rd-best passing offense in total yards with 281.1 yards per game. Luck's ability to distribute the ball and approach that near 300-yard average without two of his best receivers on Saturday could determine the outcome of the game.