With Friday’s Civil War game, which will determine both team’s postseason plans, the Oregon Daily Emerald’s sports staff and the sports staff at Oregon State’s Daily Barometer go head-to-head to answer 13 burning questions regarding a rivalry that dates back to 1894.
Why the Beavers will win
It’s pretty simple: Sport is a creature of momentum, and it’s all swinging OSU’s way right now. The Beavs have won five of the last six and are ready for a rematch after last year’s embarrassing loss at Oregon. Running back Yvenson Bernard is finally healthy and quarterback Matt Moore has the nation’s longest streak for pass attempts without an interception (we’re as shocked as you), so OSU should win. Also lately, Oregon seems to suck. A lot.
What is it about the home team this series winning every game since 1996?
We’re not sure, but we’re happy the game is in Corvallis.
Who has produced better NFL players?
Let’s see, OSU has an entire receiving corps for the Cincinnati Bengals (Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh); Rams’ running back Steven Jackson is a former Beaver; and Nick Barnett, who starts for the Packers went to Green Bay by way of Corvallis. Oregon, in comparison, has Joey Harrington … kinda. Chad Johnson was recently on the cover of Sports Illustrated. We believe the last time that happened with Harrington was after he was drafted – long before the world knew just how bad he really is. But don’t worry, Duck fans – we’re sure he still plays a mean piano.
Benny or Donald?
Let’s break it down by animal. What do Ducks do? They sit around in a pond and beg people for bread (much like Oregon Ducks sit around and continuously beg the refs to review plays). That’s pretty much it. Beavers actually build things – they dam rivers and are industrious; nature’s engineers, don’t you know? We’ll take the work ethic of a Beaver any day. Who’s ever heard of an eager Duck? It doesn’t even rhyme.
Stewart or Bernard?
Like this is even a question. Duck fans would probably even secretly admit they wish Bernard played for Oregon. Why? Well, he’s not a giant wimp. Stewart keeps “getting hurt” but whatever happened to sucking it up and playing through pain? Bernard’s ankle was so bad the day OSU played USC he could barely walk on it. But he suited up and tried anyway, determined to help his team succeed. Stewart, on the other hand, uses every excuse imaginable for being hurt as a reason for him not stepping up and leading Oregon to victory. I’ll take the tough guy.
Dixon or Moore?
Six weeks ago we definitely would have picked Dixon. And now, Moore’s good: He’s not throwing interceptions anymore and has had a recent flurry of rushing touchdowns. (He sure as heck isn’t fast, but he gets to the end zone somehow.) As we said before, we’re not sure why or how Moore suddenly got good, but we’ll take it. Dixon, in comparison, hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass against a Division I-A team in five weeks. Man, that’s a long time. We’re guessing after Friday, that streak will have extended to six weeks.
Worst thing about Oregon?
We can’t think of anything besides those hideous uniforms and the fact that Oregon is the spoiled child of Phil Knight. But those seem like pretty good reasons to not like someone.
Autzen or Reser?
Oh, like this is a fair question. It’s not our fault our stadium just got renovated or that the one side of it still kind of sucks. And on the side that doesn’t suck, students must sit in front of the handicapped section and therefore are not allowed to stand on bleachers. That sucks too. However, was the opening of Autzen celebrated with a free concert by country duo Montgomery Gentry? Nope, didn’t think so. Clearly we win this one.
Who’s had the better season so far?
Please see Oregon State vs. USC, Oct. 28, 2006.
Best selling point for recruits?
In a week it will be that Oregon State beat an Oregon team who was originally thought to be a contender for the 2006 Pac-10 title. But before that: all the gay sheep a drunken recruit could want.
Better coach: Riley or Bellotti?
Sorry, Riley, you’re a nice guy, but we have to give this one to Bellotti. (If it makes you feel better, we’re gagging as we type this.) Bellotti scoops up outstanding recruits and then develops them over a few years, puts together bowl seasons and always calls cool, creative, trick plays. Riley, on the other hand, decides to go for it on fourth and two on our own 48. Not good. However we would like to take this opportunity to tell Bellotti: bring back the ‘stache.
Who has better fans?
We’ll admit OSU fans aren’t so cool because they usually boo their own team, coach, quarterback, water boys, cheerleaders, etc. But hey, they made a giant ball out of those foam things. That’s neat.
If you could borrow one Oregon football player for OSU, who would it be and why?
We’ve been over and over this, and we’re stumped. OSU already had a good running back, good receiver, good quarterback, good kicker and good defensive line. However, after careful consideration, we choose Jordan Kent, who will promptly be suiting up for the Beaver men’s basketball team, who lost to Hawaii 85-41 Sunday night. That’s right, Hawaii.
OSU: Point, counterpoint
Daily Emerald
November 20, 2006
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