BFS Current Story

THE 113TH CIVIL WAR IS JUST 3 DAYS AWAY

11-30-2009 - In just three days the biggest and most important game in Civil War History will be played at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Why is it the biggest and most important? Because for the first time ever the winner of the Civil War game is guaranteed a spot in the Rose Bowl.

The hype has been big to date but as this day has gone along you can just feel things starting to really ramp up. For me it has been a difficult day to concentrate on work and have spent most of my day checking the blogs and twitter posts on the Beavers press conference. And the hype is only going to get bigger the closer we get to kickoff, which at this time is only 2 days and 20 hours away.

The Ducks have had their "I smell roses" youtube video cranked up for days now and this morning the Beavers fans fired back with their own version of the video titled "I smell roast duck"(see below). I follow many Beaver players on Twitter and they have been noticeably quiet the last week or so. Perhaps Riley has them focused on the task at hand and not shooting their mouths off before a career defining game.

Friends and neighbors of mine are just as caught up in the hype as many of your are. Those who have no ties to either school are taking sides and calling and asking to wear some of my extensive collection of Beaver gear (more on that later). People who have never showed allegiance to any team are all of a sudden sporting the colors of their favorite team. Nearly every person I know has asked me how I am doing and if the Beavers are going to pull of the upset this year. I have been burning up the fiber optic internet lines all day with emails to many Beaver fans on their feelings as the game draws closer.

For the second year in a row the Beavers have put themselves one game from getting back to the place that 12 years ago was just a dream they hoped they could realize someday.. Now, Coach Riley and his staff have put a system in place that is consistently getting the Beavers to the top of the conference with a shot at a PAC-10 title. The Beavers have established themselves as contenders year to year but have yet to take the next step. To win the big game on the road that will define this team and this program for all time. The one game that will finally say, "We Have Arrived".

But this year it is more difficult then last year. Last season we had the home field advantage. Last season we had the edge. This year, the Ducks have both of those and the Beavers are the team trying for the upset. Not many people are giving the Beavers much of a chance as the Beavers are 8 to 10 point underdogs heading to Autzen. This year we have Quizz Rodgers playing in the big game. This year, it's not the first time they have played a game with this much on the line. This year, Beaver fans are confident, yet reserved as the Beavers must go into a hostile place and preserve. THIS YEAR . . . IS YET TO BE DETERMINED. Will the Beavers be able to win in one of college footballs most difficult places to play? Can the Beavers shake off the ghosts of last season? Can these Beavers, rewrite nearly 45 years of history and do what so many are wishing for? The future is not written in stone, it's what you make it.

As for me, I am trying to stay focused on what is ahead and not let the hype get to me. I remember the feeling of getting the big win and going to the Fiesta Bowl. I waited 36 years for the Beavers to win another conference title and it felt really good. Now its been another 9 years and I am ready to have that feeling again. COME ON BEAVERS, LET'S GO GET THIS ONE.

BY THE NUMBERS

KEYS	STATISTIC	OSU	UO	Advantage
.	Records	8-3(6-2)	9-2(7-1)	UO
.	Scoring Offense	32.4	37.7	UO
.	Scoring Defense	22.2	22.7	OSU
.	Total Offense	422.2	418.8	OSU
.	Total Defense	340.5	324.0	UO
.	Rushing Offense	231.4	149.7	UO
.	Rushing Defense	98.5	130.6	OSU
.	Passing Offense	272.5	187.5	OSU
.	Passing Defense	193.4	242.1	UO
.	Pass Efficiency	146.5	130.2	OSU
.	Pass Defense Efficiency	127.4	106.2	UO
.	Kickoff Returns	23.9	25.3	UO
.	Punt Return Average	8.1	11.4	UO
.	Interceptions	7	13	UO
.	Punting	41.9	40.0	OSU
.	Kickoff Coverage	42.9	42.5	OSU
.	Field Goals	18/23=.783	14/17=.824	UO
.	PAT Kicking	40/41=.976	49/49=1.00	UO
.	Sacks by	15	30	UO
.	Sacks Against	27	12	UO
.	First Downs	243	226	OSU
.	Opponent First Downs	208	195	UO
.	3rd Down Conversions	48.4	36.1	OSU
.	3rd Down Defense	35.2	36.4	OSU
.	4th Down Conversions	80.0	58.8	OSU
.	4th Down Defense	64.7	47.4	UO
.	Penalties	55.6	62.4	OSU
.	Time of Possession	32.08	26.46	OSU
.	Turnover Margin	+4	+5	UO
.	Red Zone Offense	96.0	95.7	OSU
.	Red Zone Defense	87.9	75.0	UO
.	Home Field Advantage	.	UO	UO
32	Totals	14	18	UO

The stats for this game really tell the tale. This game is going to be strength against strength. Ducks rushing offense vs Beavers rushing defense. Beavers passing offense vs Ducks passing defense. Right down the line this game has "great game" written all over it. Several of these categories are so close you could throw them out and what you have left is two very good teams that are pretty well matched. The Beavers have to be able to contain the Ducks rushing game weather it comes from the QB position or the running back. The Ducks have to stop the control passing game of the Beavers. The two teams feature two of the top three running backs in the conference and the two top quarterbacks in the conference. My oh my this is going to be a great game.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Ducks are favored and have the big advantage of playing at Autzen which is one of the toughest places to play in the nation. The Beavers have to maintain their composure and respond to what the Ducks do because this is going to be a track meet of a football game. The Beavers cannot give up the big play like last year and make the Ducks pass to beat them. The Beavers DB's have to be smart and not let the Ducks receivers get behind them. I think the Beavers are going to have to play a near perfect game to win unless the Ducks have been listening to their own talk. If the Beavers can jump out early and take the crowd out of the game then it is anyone's ball game.

Just like last year you might as well hold on because I think it is going to be a wild ride. I CANNOT WAIT FOR IT TO GET HERE!

FINAL SCORE

BEAVERS 48
DUCKS 44

GO BEAVERS!

GO BEAVERS!

BFS