Not-So-Civil War
The 2013 Civil War has lost its usual mystique with the recent play of the Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers. According to The Oreognian’s Andrew Greif, good seats are still available to the annual rivalry, as UO students failed to claim tickets that were included in their tuition fees.
The students may be more concerned with Thanksgiving and Black Friday shopping, but true fans of both teams should tune in for this once-in-a-season showdown.
Bragging Rights
For the first time in what seems like forever, there is virtually nothing on the line for these two squads from the Pacific Northwest. The winner will not go to a national championship, nor will it earn a spot in the Rose Bowl or the Pac-12 title game.
What we do have, however, is an opportunity for bragging rights. This rivalry pits family members against each other, and whether you’re on the field or not, chances are you have a dog in this fight if you’re from the state of Oregon.
Forget current events. This game is about nostalgia, as it is the seventh most played game in college football history.
Star Power
Sean Mannion and Marcus Mariota should combine for one heck of a showdown.
Once upon a time, De’Anthony Thomas and Marcus Mariota were considered Heisman hopefuls entering the 2013 season. Injuries removed De’Anthony Thomas from conversations early, but Marcus Mariota was looked at as a favorite until losing two matchups in three weeks.
Nobody on the field Saturday will be looked at as a lock for college football’s most prestigious individual award — although some still like Mariota’s chances of visiting New York — but that doesn’t mean we’ll be short on star power.
On the Oregon State side, you have arguably the deadliest pass-catch combo in the country in Sean Mannion and Brandin Cooks. The two made headlines early in the year, and while the hype has disappeared with the recent losses, you’re looking at two players who have helped OSU become the third-best passing team in the FBS.
Back to Oregon, you’ve got standout tailback Byron Marshall, not to mention homegrown freshman Thomas Tyner. The stars will be out Friday night, and so long as they have the right mindset, you’ll see a number of great individual performances.
Points
If you like a high-scoring affair, make sure you tune in for this one.
On the season, the Ducks and Beavers have combined for more than 82 points per game. Oregon is fourth in the country in that particular category, and Oregon State comes in at 32nd.
More specifically, the Beavers’ defense has been downright awful. The team is allowing 31.7 points per contest, which is only good enough for 95th in the nation.
Look for the stars listed above to have huge performances, resulting in an offensive battle between two squads that are looking to avenge last week’s performances.
Salvaging The Season
Whether you’re rooting for the Ducks or the Beavers, one thing is for sure.
This game is about recovering from disappointment.
For the Beavers, five straight losses following six straight wins wasn’t what they had in mind. For the Ducks, anything less than a BCS bowl is unacceptable, yet that’s where they find themselves at this point in the process.
What both squads need to remember is that the year isn’t over. There’s more to be played, and coming away with a win in the final game will boost morale entering what is sure to be a long offseason.
