Oregon State @ Oregon preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 4, 2010 ) Oregon 37, Oregon State 20

THE STORY: Oregon has been eliminated from returning to the national title game, but the No. 9 Ducks can play for the Pac-12 crown if they defeat visiting Oregon State on Saturday in the annual “Civil War” game. Oregon will represent the Pac-12 North if it defeats the Beavers, one week after falling out of the national picture with a 38-35 loss to USC. If the Ducks lose to Oregon State, Stanford wins the Pac-12 North. Oregon State is looking to avoid its first nine-loss season since going 2-9 in 1996. The Beavers played one of the top games of the season last week in beating Washington.

TV: ABC or ESPN2, and ESPN3.com. LINE: Oregon -28

AROUND OREGON (9-2, 7-1 Pac-12 North): The Ducks trailed the Trojans by 24 points before rallying and eventually losing when sophomore kicker Alejandro Maldonado missed a game-tying 37-yard field-goal attempt. Junior running back LaMichael James is one of three finalists for the Doak Walker Award and vying to become only the third two-time winner of the award that goes to the nation’s top running back. James has rushed for 1,285 yards and 13 touchdowns. Junior quarterback Darron Thomas has thrown 23 touchdown passes against only five interceptions. Senior linebacker Josh Kaddu has a team-best 6.5 sacks.

ABOUT OREGON STATE (3-8, 3-5): The Beavers defeated the Huskies 38-21 to snap a three-game losing streak. Senior receiver James Rodgers set the school’s career receptions record with 222 against the Huskies, but also sprained an ankle and could miss the final contest of his stellar career. Redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Mannion has thrown for 3,028 yards and 13 touchdowns, but has also been intercepted 16 times. Junior receiver Markus Wheaton has 71 receptions and is 53 yards away from a 1,000-yard season. Redshirt freshman defensive end Scott Crichton has a team-best 13.5 tackles for losses and has a school-record five forced fumbles.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Oregon leads the series 58-46-10 and has won the last three meetings.

2. The Ducks had their 21-game home winning streak - the nation’s longest - snapped by losing to USC.

3. Mike Riley has a 4-6 record against Oregon in two stints as Beavers’ coach.

PREDICTION: Oregon 55, Oregon State 16 - The Ducks have scored more than 500 points in each of the past two seasons and figure to take out their frustrations over the USC loss with a demonstrative assault.