thesportsfag | my gay sports blog

It’s hard to believe that in the over 100-year history of the Oregon and Oregon State rivalry, never before have they met with a winner takes all Rose Bowl bid on the line. Sure, they have met when either team had a chance to win and get to Pasadena but never in a de facto Pac-10 Championship game.

A couple of things you can expect in tonight’s game on ESPN at 9 PM ET, points and more points.

Oregon State
Over the last five games the Beavers, led by hottie quarterback Sean Canfield and running backs James and Jacquiz Rodgers, are averaging close to 40 points per game.

Canfield, a senior this year, threw 19 interceptions as a sophomore but has completed just over 70% of his passes in 2009 for nearly 2800 yards and with a 3 to 1 TD/INT ratio he’s moving up on NFL draft boards. With all of the pre season hype surrounding Matt Barkley, Jeremiah Masoli and Jake Locker its Canfield, with a passer rating of 147.47, who sits a top the PAC-10 in passing efficiency.

Teammates and brothers James and Jacquizz Rodgers of Richmond, TX not only lead the team in rushing but also in receptions.

Oregon
Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has been inconsistent in 2009 but has come up big in big games against Cal, USC, Stanford and Arizona. Playing a nationally televised night game at home against your hated in-state rivals to send your school to the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1994 is about as big as it gets at the collegiate level.

Running back LaMichael James, who replaced semi-pro boxer LaGarette Blount after his non-sanctioned bout at Boise State earlier this year, is avergaing 6.9 yards per carry and is second only to Toby Gerhart in the PAC-10 in rushing.

Prediction and more photos of Canfield
Oregon 150 – Oregon State 149, oh wait, this isn’t basketball….or is it?

The PAC-10 will get most of the national attention today and deservedly so. With three weeks to go the PAC 10 race could wind up today or continue until the final weekend. You can’t say that about any other non-championship game conference except for the Big East where Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have yet to settle things.

For Oregon and Arizona it’s simple, win out and you’re in the Rose Bowl where you can continue the annual beat down the SEC has been giving to Ohio State in recent years.

So that sets up tonight’s game from Tucson where the Wildcats have been a perfect 5-0 including big wins over Central Michigan, that’s not sarcasm the Chippewas are a good football team, and Stanford. Arizona’s trying to secure their first-ever Rose Bowl bid and should be focused after losing to Cal last week on the road. Arizona’s Nick Foles, who looks a lot like Sunshine from Remember the Titans, may be the most underrated quarterback in the country while Oregon’s Jeremiah Masoli may be the most overrated quarterback.

Oregon has been playing inspired ball ever since the early season loss at the hands of Boise State. The ground game, which has accounted for over 200 yards in eight consecutive games, has been the catalyst for the Ducks success and RB LaMichael James is coming off of a 3 TD night against Arizona State last week.

I expect this to be one of the most exciting and competitive games of the year, showcasing a lot of talent on each side of the ball but I think the Ducks, who have won on the road in the PAC-10 this year, will grind it out and wear Arizona down late for a double-digit win.

I should mention that Oregon State and Stanford are still in the race but need some help to get to Pasadena. The PAC-10, with five teams in the Top 25, is getting the recognition it deserves and by winning against quality non-conference opponents, they’ve put themselves in position to be considered the top conference in all of college football.

Side Note: Oregon RB LeGarrette Blount may see his first action since his now infamous punch after the Boise State game. The guy apologized quickly and has missed most of his senior season as punishment for his action, so he deserves his second chance.