Dan Rubenstein explains why Oregon State will challenge Oregon
Wednesday, on the Andy Staples On3 Podcasts , the college football expert was joined by Dan Rubenstein of The Solid Verbal. The two discussed the final week of college football action while addressing some of the top storylines to close out the season. That discussion brought them to Friday’s – Oregon State clash, also known as the Civil War Rivalry Game.
The showdown between the two Oregon schools has significant implications, impacting not only the Pac-12 title picture but also the College Football Playoff. And a Ducks loss is potentially bad news for the conference.
“It would be kind of crushing if you have this epic historic year, and the conference is as deep as it’s ever been, and they don’t get one in,” said Staples. “The game this week that fascinates me is Oregon, Oregon State. Because it’s a must-win for Oregon, they’re right there. Oregon’s got to beat Oregon State or Arizona is going to take the spot.”
Rubenstein, like Staples, has his eye on the Civil War Rivalry Game. And when addressing the matchup, the college football expert put the Ducks on upset alert. As he sees it, Oregon State has the potential to not only challenge Oregon on their home field in Eugene, OR, but also walk away Friday with the victory.
“The idea that Oregon State, in its final Pac-12 game, has this unbelievable ability to play spoiler,” said Rubenstein. “Oregon State, they’re a pretty good team. Their ability is pretty high in terms of beating a good team. They were right there against Arizona, but they’ve been pretty strong this year.”
Oregon State has three losses on the season, but similar to their in-state rival, the Beavers’ losses have come by three points or fewer. Oregon State has been the definition of competitive this season, with solid play on both sides of the ball. However, injuries along their offensive line have stymied their offense a handful of times this season. But having said that, Rubenstein understands that this opponent for Oregon will be nothing like ones of the past, as he continued to highlight the ways the Beavers match up against the Ducks.
“I don’t think the Beavers have won in Eugene, OR, since 2007, but the pieces are there. They had to come back last year; looked like Oregon had that game in hand. And Oregon has been airing the fourth quarter in their facility around the clock. But they have the ability, right.
“DJU is one of those quarterbacks that you fall forward 3 yards on fourth-and-two, and they can run the ball. Their offensive line is beat up but well-coached. And defensively, they’ve gotten off the field enough. I don’t think they’re great, but Oregon has beat up on a lot of below-average teams. Oregon State offers a little bit more. They’re more completely USC. Then you look at ASU, Stanford, (and) Colorado; they’re just a better team of those. So, they’re still off in a pretty big challenge.”
The outlook for this game is simple for Oregon, should they win. A victory over the Beavers puts the Ducks in the Pac-12 title game. A loss on Friday could put the Ducks in the same position they were last season — at home watching two other programs compete for the conference crown. But that loss has to be coupled with an Arizona victory over Arizona State.
