Oregon State vs. BYU: Win Against Cougars Won't Lead Beavers to Pac-12 Title

The last time the Oregon State Beavers started a season 5-0, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the President of the United States and a gallon of gasoline cost $0.19.

Behind a phenomenal game from backup QB Cody Vaz, the Beavers took down the BYU Cougars 42-24 in Week 6, gaining 118 yards on the ground against a Cougars defense that ranked first in the country against the run.

Whether Vaz or injured starter Sean Mannion is under center, the Beavers figure to win their next few games against Arizona State and Utah in Corvallis and on the road against Washington.

Conceivably, they could beat Stanford on the road as well.

But they'll be stymied in the Civil War that takes place on November 24 in Corvallis.

Oregon has beaten Oregon State in each of their past four meetings, including the last two in Corvallis by a combined score of 102-58.

Yes, that was a different Oregon State team, but it was also a different Oregon Ducks squad.

The Ducks are one of two teams in the country averaging more than 50 points per game on offense and their defense isn't shabby either, allowing only 20 points per game, 31st overall.

The Beavers defense is staunch, ranking 25th and allowing just over 18 points a contest, but their offense ranks 69th in the country, putting up just over 27 points per contest.

With both teams playing in the Pac-12 North, the winner of that game figures to be the one to advance to the Pac-12 championship game—and the Ducks' offense is simply too much for the Beavers to handle.

If only the Ducks were in the Pac-12 South.