Oregon (8-3, 6-2 Pac-10) at Oregon St. (8-3, 7-1)
This year’s Civil War is arguably the biggest game for No. 17 Oregon State in decades as the Beavers can reach their first Rose Bowl since 1965 with a victory over their archrival No. 23 Oregon Ducks.
Yet while OSU is a 3-point favorite on WagerWeb.com, some factors point to a Ducks upset.
The main reason is the Beavers’ big injury. Star RB Jacquizz Rodgers, the Pac-10’s leading rusher, is “very doubtful” with a shoulder injury. Rodgers has 1,253 rushing yards and is in good position to become the first freshman to win a Pac-10 rushing title. He’s averaging 113.9 yards a game, 12th in the nation, and has 11 touchdowns.
OSU coach Mike Riley e said the team has confidence in backup Ryan McCants (pictured with story) and No. 3 tailback Jeremy Francis, who both filled in last at Arizona. And that the Beavers’ offense won’t change without Rodgers.
“I think Ryan and Jeremy will be a great one-two punch in this game,” Riley said.
Rodgers was limited to four carries for 20 yards last week, while McCants had 52 yards on 15 carries and Francis proved valuable as a receiver out of the backfield with seven catches for 61 yards, including a 20-yarder during Oregon State’s winning drive.
McCants started the season opener at Stanford before Rodgers took over. He has played in nine games, rushing 69 times for 282 yards, two touchdowns, and a 4.1-yard average.
Meanwhile, there is still no word on whom Riley will start at QB between Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao. Moevao has started most of the season but sat out the Arizona game with an injury. He has split snaps in practice all week. No doubt a little gamesmanship by Riley as he may not announce his starter until just before game time.
The Beavers have three solid options at wide receiver: Sammie Stroughter, who has 57 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns; James Rodgers, with 50 catches for 612 yards and four scores; and Shane Morales, with 44 catches for 596 and six touchdowns. Oregon has the 102nd-ranked pass defense in the nation (253.5 ypg), while OSU has the Pac-10’s top passing offense. The Ducks are among the Pac-10 leaders in sacks, however.
The Ducks have had two weeks to prepare, and sophomore QB Jeremiah Masoli has begun to master offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s spread offense. Not to mention that Oregon is a prolific running team, leading the Pac-10— and ranking sixth nationally — in rushing at 268 yards per game. Jeremiah Johnson is fifth in the conference in rushing (78.5), while LeGarrette Blount is sixth (74.2). Blount has tied Saladin McCullough’s single-season school record for rushing touchdowns with 15.
Oregon also leads the conference in total offense and scoring offense and is 11th in the nation in both categories.
Sounds like a shootout to me.
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