Oregon @ Oregon State preview
Reser Stadium
Last Meeting ( Dec 3, 2009 ) Oregon State 33, Oregon 37
The annual contest between Oregon and Oregon State, known among partisans as The Civil War, will have an extra edge to the hostility this year.
Top-ranked Oregon will be trying to secure its place in the BCS Championship game and Oregon State will be looking to play the role of spoiler on Saturday in Corvallis.
Oregon State coach Mike Riley said earlier this week that both parties know what's on the line for Oregon in terms of national exposure. Oregon State has already played three teams that were ranked in the Top Ten – TCU, Boise State and Stanford – and needs a victory to become bowl eligible.
Oregon State has a history of wrecking title dreams. The Beavers knocked off No. 1 Southern California in 2008 and No. 2 California in 2007 to derail their chances, and would like nothing better to do the same against their arch-rival.
No one should expect a pitching duel in this one. Both teams are loaded with offensive punch. Oregon (11-0, 8-0) leads the nation in scoring offense (50.5 points), total offense (541.7 yards) and punt returns (19.2 yards). The Ducks have been a big-play team, with 49 plays of 25 or more yards.
Oregon State (5-6, 4-4) has slowed down during the second half of the season – which coincides with the loss of receiver/returner James Rodgers – but has still managed to put 29 or more points on the board in six games. The teams combined for 70 points in last year's meeting.
The fast-paced Oregon offense is led by sophomore running back LaMichael James, who leads the nation in rushing yards per game (154.8) and is fifth in all-purpose yards (171.5). He is one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back.
Oregon State junior running back Jacquizz Rodgers, a semifinalist for the Walker Award, has rushed for 1,097 yards (his third straight season over 1,000) and scored 14 touchdowns. He's also caught 39 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns.
Oregon leads the series, which dates back to 1894, 57-46-10. Oregon won last year's game 37-33, the second straight year the game determined the Rose Bowl participant.
Both teams are relatively healthy. Oregon will be without receiver Lavasier Tuinei, who cracked a shoulder blade, and offensive tackle Darrion Weems, who is questionable with a left leg injury.
Oregon State defensive tackle Brennan Olander, who has 24 tackles and a team-high 11 tackles for loss, injured a pectoral muscle and is doubtful, and linebacker Keith Pankey (59 tackles) is questionable with an ankle injury that prevented him from playing against Stanford.