#2 Oregon (10-1, 7-1) at Oregon St. (5-6, 2-6) / Reser Stadium / 5 PM PST / ABC / KEJO 1240 AM / KEX 1190 AM
Game Notes / Oregon Game Notes
It's the 118th Civil War between Oregon and Oregon St., and while different, the stakes are very high for both teams tonight.
The Ducks have already won the Pac-12 North, and sewed up a trip to the Conference Championship game next Friday night at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, where they will seek to break their 2 game losing streak against Arizona. But Oregon also has plans for the College Football Playoffs, including the Rose Bowl and then a shot at the National Championship. Those goals go by the boards if they don't win the Civil War.
And then there is the matter of the Heisman Trophy, which would be a lovely parting gift for Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, should he opt as expected to move on to a pro career. A big game in a nationally televised rivalry game on the last weekend of the regular season would go a long ways to securing it.
For the Beavers, its the last home game for quarterback Sean Mannion, the owner of the Oregon St. record book when it comes to passing, and much of the Pac-12 passing record book for that matter. And for 9 starters on the defense. And for some other seniors as well.
And if they don't break Oregon St.'s 6 game losing streak in the Civil War, it will be their last game as a Beaver. Lose the Civil War and they lose bowl eligibility, for the 3rd time in 5 years.
And maybe some coaches lose their job.
Oregon has extended their edge in the Civil War that has had battles dating back 120 years, to 1894, to 61-46, with 10 ties back in the days when the rules didn't require a winner, with those 6 wins.
Oregon comes in rolling, having won 6 in a row, all by double digit margins, and all with at least 42 points scored, including last week's 44-10 rout of Colorado.
Oregon St. upset then 6th ranked Arizona St. 35-27 2 weeks ago, in their last game at Reser, but have lost the other 5 of their last 6 contests, including getting routed 37-13 by Washington last Saturday night in Seattle. Indeed, the Beavers have now lost 11 of their last 13 Pac-12 games.
That includes last year's Civil War, in which Oregon pulled out the 36-35 win at Autzen Stadium when Mariota threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to Josh Huff with 29 seconds remaining. This after Oregon St. had taken the lead with 1:39 to go Victor Bolden's 25 yard run.
Oregon is around a 20 point favorite (some lines are 3 touchdowns, some a point or two less) in this one.
Oregon St. will be without both Terron Ward and Chris Brown in their backfield, and its uncertain how much Thomas Tyner will be able to play in Oregon's backfield. With Royce Freeman, the Ducks should have the edge, though Storm Woods will play for the Beavers, after suffering a head injury against Washington.
Here's the schedule for the afternoon and evening:
BuildingTheDam will be at the battle as always, and be back afterwards with complete coverage and analysis.
Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com