STANFORD, Calif. (AP) -- Stanford has been pointing to the brutal four-game November stretch as the defining moment for the season ever since arriving at fall camp.

The Cardinal end the season with arguably their four toughest games, facing No. 7 Oregon, No. 12 Southern California, No. 23 California and No. 19 Notre Dame all in succession.

What no one knew at the start of the season was that the toughest game might come first, when the Cardinal (5-3, 4-2 Pac-10) host the Ducks (7-1, 5-0) on Saturday.

"This is a huge opportunity for us if we want to take the next step," running back Toby Gerhart said. "We have a chance to beat the best team in the Pac-10."

Oregon earned that title last week with a 47-20 victory over USC that put the Ducks in control of the Pac-10 race and in contention for a spot in the Bowl Championship Series title game.