This particular game might not have a new name yet, but the rivalry between Oregon and OSU will be as hot as ever when the two teams meet in Corvallis Friday, scheduled for a 4:30 pm kickoff on ESPN.
At 3-0 and ranked 15th in the first College Football Playoff standings of the season, the Ducks will face a Beaver team that just claimed their first win of the year.
Coming into the game, a win would mean different things for the two programs.
A win for the Ducks would continue their perfect season and keep their hopes for a possible playoff spot alive. Although it still may be a long shot, Oregon has to be 7-0 at the end of the season to even be considered.
As for the 1-2 Beavers, head coach Jonathan Smith is looking to continue his program’s growth and a win over the Ducks would be a huge step in his third season at the helm of his alma mater.
Oregon State almost got the job done last year in Autzen Stadium as then freshman quarterback Tristan Gebbia almost led his Beaver team to an upset before the Ducks pulled away for the 24-10 win.
The Ducks are 66-47-10 against their rivals and have won 11 of the last 12. But it’s 2020, so no one should be stunned if the Beavers manage to figure out a way to win this one.
Oregon is going to have to figure out some of his defensive woes and running back Jermar Jefferson will be looking to exploit whatever weakness he can find.
The 5-10, 217-pound junior already ranks seventh on the OSU career rushing list, but Oregon was able to somewhat contain him last season for just 81 yards and a score.
Speaking of defense, the Ducks might have received the biggest break of the year when it was announced freshman linebacker Noah Sewell was able to practice on Monday and should be available for the game. The younger brother of Penei Sewell was having an outstanding season until a teammate rolled on his ankle during a play last week.
Sewell was carted off and it looked bad, as in the end-of-the-season type of injury bad. Thankfully for Oregon, one of its leading tacklers will make his first appearance against the Beavers.
Also making his first appearance vs. OSU is quarterback Tyler Shough, who has been as good or better than most had hoped for. The redshirt sophomore quarterback has fit perfectly into offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead’s system.
Shough is completing 66 percent of his passes, has eight touchdowns against just two interceptions. He’s also the second-leading rusher for the Ducks, averaging almost 67 yards per contest.
The Ducks will be coming into Corvallis will a full contingent of receivers as Mycah Pittman is expected to return after missing the last two games.
Photo Courtesy Eric Evans
In his absence, Devon Williams has stepped up to be the receiver everyone hoped he would be when he was recruited out of high school.
After transferring out of USC, it was thought he might end up at Oregon State, but instead found himself a home in Eugene with the Ducks.