Civil War

Fall in Beaverton
Originally uploaded by pete4ducks.

The 2011 Civil War was certainly civil though not much of a way. Man I felt like I was watching a game between Oregon and a 1-AA team not our in state rival. The fans were not fired up, no one Duck nor Beaver who I talked to, figured the game would be competitive. There was way less tension than we have seen in this rivalry for quite some time both on the field and in the stands. Oregon, though it was playing for a P12 North title, seemed to treat this as more of a scrimmage and the Beavs were just undermanned. Had Oregon been crisper in the first half this game could have finished with a Ducks score in the 70’s. What has happened to Oregon State? This was a program that just two years was playing for Rose Bowl – now they’d be lucky to win the WAC. I think Riley has done about as well as possible for them but with both UW and WSU improving (not to mention the rise of Stanford) it is just that much harder for another team in the Pac 12 North to compete for titles. Oregon State is clearly losing the recruiting wars on the offensive and defensive lines and it is leading to a team that can’t run nor can stop the run. On to the P12 Championship game. Does anyone really care? Does anyone think that lame-duck Rick has any chance of winning this game? Ticket prices are at gouge level and the P12 is taking away much of the in game amenities that Oregon fans enjoy such as the fog horn and Duck Vision. I know they want more of a neutral atmosphere but in trying to find that goal they are turning off Duck fans. Let Autzen be Autzen and make it a reward for winning the North. Oregon 52 UCLA 6.