While the focus will be on Ducks redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcus Mariota and Cardinal redshirt senior linebackers Trent Murphy and Shayne Skov, here is a look at some of the other top senior draft prospects that will be in action Thursday night on the Farm:
Oregon DE Taylor Hart: Hart (6-foot-6, 287 pounds) has shown the versatility to play both end and tackle in coordinator Nick Alliotti's modified 3-4 defense, but is likely to be lined up at end to offer more size against the bruising Stanford offensive line. Hart has three sacks and three forced fumbles this season, ranking second on the team in both categories and is ranked No. 50 on NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt's Hot 100 list.
Hot 100 seniors
In his midseason update of the top 100 seniors in college football, Gil Brandt has UCLA LB Anthony Barr No. 1 and a previously unranked player in his top 5. **More ...**
Stanford DE Josh Mauro: Stepping into the starting lineup after Henry Anderson was injured at Army, Mauro has more than picked up the slack. Mauro's eight tackles for loss with four sacks rank second only to Murphy in both categories, while he has also forced two fumbles and intercepted a pass. Mauro (6-6, 282) has raised his stock as much as any senior in the Pac-12 and will need to maintain that disruptive edge with the underrated Ben Gardner now lost for the season.
Oregon WR Josh Huff: Huff does it all for the Ducks, working out wide and in the slot (38 receptions for 708 yards, six touchdowns), blocking effectively in the run game, motioning into the backfield on triple-option looks, and returning kicks to average 117 all-purpose yards per game. Huff (5-11, 202) is a valuable player because of his tremendous versatility.
Stanford DB Usua Amanam: Amanam covers the slot receiver when the Cardinal use nickel personnel. Amanam (5-10, 175) is aggressive in attacking the line of scrimmage, posting 10.5 tackles for loss last season. With UO's use of three-receiver sets, Amanam will be a busy man and must be sound in coverage and run support.
Oregon LB Boseko Lomboko: Lomboko is one of the most athletic Ducks on either side of the ball and could easily be one of the stars in workouts leading up to next May's draft. Lomboko (6-3, 229) has 33 tackles, five QB hurries, four tackles for loss with two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery this season.
Oregon S Avery Patterson: Patterson doesn't have prototypical size for a safety, coming in at just 5-foot-10 and 189 pounds, but he knows how to make plays (42 tackles, five tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two interceptions). The absence of Patterson in last season's matchup, having suffered a season-ending knee injury the week before, definitely hindered the UO defense. Patterson will be important in helping keep wide receiver Ty Montgomery from stretching the field.
Stanford C Khalil Wilkes: Wilkes (6-3, 286) has made a seamless transition from left guard to center, anchoring an offensive line that leads the Pac-12 in fewest sacks and tackles for loss allowed. With Stanford likely to employ a ball-control offense, Wilkes will be critical in making the calls against an aggressive defense that will show lots of looks.
Stanford OG Kevin Danser: Danser (6-6, 296) is in his second season at right guard and, along with Wilkes and David Yankey, forms one of the most ferocious interior lines in the game. Danser has the potential to impress NFL teams in the evaluation process.
Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.
