There's No "I" in Blog: Civil War for the Roses!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Civil War for the Roses!

Now that we've gotten past Rivalry Week, college football fans can focus on the Pacific Northwest where, this Thursday, the Oregon State Beavers will visit the Oregon Ducks in Autzen Stadium for a real rivalry game: the 113th Civil War. Like most rivalry games, the Civil War is always a big game for fans of either team and creates a lot of trash talking. Some Beaver fans are still quick to bring up Joey "FivePicks" with Duck fans, referring to the 2000 game, when Joey Harrington threw five interceptions in a 23-13 loss to the Beavers. All Duck fans have to say is "65-38," the score of the 2008 Civil War, a blowout win by Oregon that kept the Beavers out of the Rose Bowl. Well, the "Grandaddy of Them All" is at stake again, but this time, for the first time ever, the winner of the Civil War is guaranteed to win the Pac-10 and play in the Rose Bowl.

Both teams come in atop the Pac-10 standings, a far cry from the early season expectations. The Beavers had to replace nine starters from last year's defense and also had to create a new offensive line. The Ducks, on the other hand, had to deal with a situation you might have heard about in their season-opener against Boise State. Now the Beavers (#13) and Ducks (#7) are playing their best football at the right time. OSU's defense is best in the Pac-10 and ranks 13th in rushing yards against, and their offense hasn't been too shabby either. Running back Jacquizz Rodgers is fourth in the country with 20 TDs, and has 1,313 rushing yards (436 receiving, plus a 14-yard pass for a TD). Quizz's brother James Rodgers ranks #1 in the Pac-10 in all-purpose yards (9th in the nation). Quarterback Sean Canfield has proved he can start a full season, channeled his inner Lyle Moevao, and become the team leader a QB should be. He's posted 20 TDs, 2,797 yards, and a 147.47 passer rating. On the other end, Oregon freshman LaMichael James stepped in at running back after LaGarrette Blount's suspension and racked up 1,310 yards, breaking Quizz's Pac-10 yards as a freshman set last year. Jeremiah Masoli has accounted for 14 passing and 12 rushing TDs, for a total of 2,484 yards. In all likelihood, the quarterback of the winning team will be named the first team All-Pac-10 quarterback. Oh, and again, the winner will walk off the field at Autzen with roses in their mouths.

So who will win, and who will be sent to a second-rate bowl? About a month ago, I would have given the Beavers no shot, especially after watching Oregon throttled USC, but then a Stanford team that OSU beat hung 51 points on the Ducks. Then a decent Arizona team also proved that Oregon can be challenged even while they're playing they're best. Meanwhile, OSU's defense stepped up and helped the Beavers to a 4-game win streak, including a win against then #20 Cal.

Some things to watch: will Masoli and the Ducks carry over the swagger created by their OT win against Arizona? Will the Beavers be more prepared or hung over after essentially having two bye weeks in a row against UW and WSU? Can OSU successfully control the clock with Quizz and keep the Ducks offense off the field while still taking shots down the field? How will OSU's young defense, especially their cornerbacks, respond to the challenge of James and Masoli? How will Canfield react to the Autzen crowd and playing in his first Civil War? Why does anyone enjoy watching Oregon's pop-warner spread-option offense? How obnoxious will Oregon's fans act? Can I write any more questions? My prediction: Beavers win (of course) in a close one, 33-30, with their defense making a key stop in the fourth quarter.

*Photo courtesy of Greg Keene via Creative Commons License

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Rachel Partin

Rachel is a writer living in Somerville, Massachusetts. She spent her childhood shooting hoops with her beloved hot pink basketball and getting bowled over as she posted up against her towering brothers. Eventually learning that she was better suited to track and field, she pursued a high school career as a pole vaulter, only to inevitably end up sunbathing on the pit rather than practicing. In college she tutored athletes in writing and English, discovering, to her delight, that most college athletes truly care about academics. She edits a sports blog in her spare time.

Alex Strum

Alex is a writer who lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. As a youth, he once scored five goals in an after-school street hockey game. He was also a key cog in the machine that was the 1996 Holliston Giants. More recently he was a member of the HHS 2002 ultimate frisbee tournament champion Cash Butter Nuggets and later helped found the Long Island Flag Football team of the same name. He is the owner of a Ki-Jana Carter jersey and a Free Lawrence Phillips T-Shirt, but is most proud of his Roger Dorn replica jersey. He is the author of But What About All the Good Things OJ Did? and Portrait of a Gentleman: The Ty Cobb Story.

Ian Thistle

Ian is a writer (in theory) who lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Though he grew up in Olympia, Washington and Burlington, Vermont, his family has roots in Framingham going back to the turn of the 20th century, which gives him the edge in any Boston sports team pissing contest. He had tickets to both Clay Buchholz's and Jon Lester's no-hitters, but gave them up for various reasons. He likes Dustin Pedroia's attitude, Ambiorix Burgos's name, and the body language of soccer players when they give up an own goal. He hates the save and RBI stats, Tony Dungy, and the Philadelphia Flyers. In his spare time, he rides bicycles and hangs out with his mom.

Patrick Truby

Patrick is a writer who lives in Somerville, Massachusetts. He grew up in Hawaii, a place devoid of major professional sports. At the age of 5, he was given a Dwight Clark jersey but, not knowing who Dwight Clark was, wanted his brother’s Bo Jackson jersey. He once ate a raw chili pepper in exchange for Ken Griffey, Jr.’s rookie card. Later in life, he campaigned to change the name of his American Legion baseball team to the Mukilteo Ferries. He has an affinity for throwback uniforms and hopes to see the day the Supersonics return to Seattle. Follow him on Twitter.