Oregon State @ Oregon preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 24, 2012 ) Oregon 48, Oregon State 24

A month ago, Oregon was on a path toward the BCS title game, but now the Ducks are simply on a path to redemption. Following a crushing defeat against Stanford on Nov. 7 and last week's stunning blowout at Arizona, No. 12 Oregon returns home looking to take out some anger against rival Oregon State in the Civil War game Friday. The Ducks appear to be catching the Beavers at the right time as Oregon State has dropped four straight games, including a 69-27 pounding against Washington last week.

The Beavers' rushing defense could be the key this weekend as they allowed 530 yards on the ground against the Huskies. The Ducks, while led by Heisman Trophy candidate Marcus Mariota at quarterback, also possess a strong rushing attack that ranks 10th in the country at 277.9 yards per contest. Oregon wideout Keanon Lowe knows that sulking is not an option at this point, saying, "It's the Civil War. We all know what the Civil War is and what that means. So we have no time to dwell on (our recent losses)."

TV: 7 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1. LINE: Oregon -21.5

ABOUT OREGON STATE (6-5, 4-4 Pac-12): Brandin Cooks is one of the offensive headliners for Oregon State, already possessing the school's single-season record with 110 receptions, just eight shy of the Pac-12 record set last season by Marqise Lee of USC. Of course, behind any record-setting receiver there is a big-time quarterback, and Sean Mannion has been terrific in 2013, completing 66 percent of his passes for 4,089 yards with 34 touchdowns. However, the Oregon State defense has allowed 37.5 points on average during its four-game slide and gave up 692 total yards to the Huskies last weekend.

ABOUT OREGON (9-2, 6-2): The Ducks were ranked No. 2 in the BCS prior to their loss to the Cardinal and following last week's defeat, Oregon will sit back and watch as Stanford and Arizona State play for the league title next weekend. Mariota (3,127 passing yards, 529 rushing yards, 36 total touchdowns) suffered a head injury last week but passed the concussion protocol and expects to play against the Beavers. Still, that could mean a heavier workload for De'Anthony Thomas, who racked up 227 all-purpose yards on 27 touches against Arizona.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Prior to throwing an interception on the Ducks' first play against Arizona, Mariota had gone 353 straight passes without a pick.

2. Oregon has won five straight in the series.

3. Oregon State has six wins, but the Beavers are not guaranteed a bowl game, as the Pac-12 has seven bowl agreements but nine teams already bowl eligible.

PREDICTION: Oregon 55, Oregon State 17