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Nov 22, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) readies to throw the ball before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) readies to throw the ball before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY SportsUSA TODAY Sports

Oregon vs. Oregon State: 2014 Civil War TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates and Time

Chris RolingNov 27, 2014

The 2014 Civil War between the Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers in Corvallis Saturday does not look like much on paper.

Then again, neither did the same showdown with a similar outlook one year ago. There, the Beavers lost by just one point on a touchdown pass from Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota with less than a minute left in regulation.

Still, the 10-1 Ducks are playing the best football of their season and want to rest up before the Pac-12 title game. The 5-6 Beavers are dangerous at home thanks to an explosive offense, though, so anything can and likely will happen once the two step on the field.

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Aerial Warfare

Nov 1, 2014; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion (4) throws during the game at Reser Stadium. He broke the all time Pac-12 passing record in the loss to the California Golden Bears 45-31.Mandatory Credit: Susan Ragan-USA TODA

The globe knows about Mariota but perhaps not so much when it comes to Oregon State senior quarterback Sean Mannion.

As Lindsay Schnell of SI.com breaks down, Saturday will be the most prolific quarterback duel in Civil War history:

"

Mariota and Mannion are both dramatically different and surprisingly similar. Mariota is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, a player lauded for his ability to keep drives alive and torch defenses with his legs. Mannion, a coach’s son praised for his football IQ and accuracy, is built for pro-style offenses.

"

Mannion leads the 24th-ranked passing attack in the nation this year. His 3,002 yards and 14 touchdowns to eight interceptions come by way of a 63.5 completion percentage.

Yet that still somehow pales in comparison to Mariota, who has completed 68.0 percent of his passes for 3,103 yards and 32 touchdowns to just two interceptions this year. Sprinkle in 597 rushing yards and nine scores, and it is easy to see why Heisman chatter continues to center on him.

Believe it or not, though, this is the exact game the Beavers want to play.

Mannion is certainly talented enough to enough to take advantage of wobbly pass defenses. The Ducks certainly qualify, ranking No. 117 in the nation against the pass this season.

Now, Oregon has yet to encounter a quarterback who can actually make this matter.

But for comparison's sake, the Ducks got a 42-30 win over UCLA back in mid-October, while allowing Bruins signal-caller Brett Hundley (who leads the 27th-ranked passing attack) to throw for 216 yards and a pair of scores. 

Mannion is certainly capable of similar production, especially at home. If the Ducks defense does not come prepared, this Civil War will prove to be much closer than anticipated.

Fast Out the Gates

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 22:  Running back Royce Freeman #21 of the Oregon Ducks rushes for a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes in the first quarter at Autzen Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Eugene, Oregon.  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Oregon wants this game to go away quickly.

No—it needs it to get out of hand fast.

All of the potential opponents for the Ducks in the Pac-12 championship play the day before Mariota and Co. take the field in Corvallis, meaning the opposition will have the upper hand when it comes to preparation.

Getting out to an early lead means allowing freshman back Royce Freeman (1,050 yards, 16 touchdowns) to pound the rock and eat the clock. 

Really, it also means a team that has lost a number of players such as Pharaoh Brown, Hroniss Grasu and Tyler Johnstone, to name a few, can increase the odds it stays healthy if the starters are hanging out on the sidelines while the backups nurse a lead.

Oregon's lone hiccup this season came against Arizona, a team that was able to grab the lead after the first frame and keep the game close before pulling away.

Should the Ducks provide Mannion and Co. that same comfort, there is no telling what the Beavers and a top-flight passing attack can do at home to spoil Oregon's season.

When: Saturday, November 29, 8 p.m. ET

Where: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon

Television: ABC

Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):

  • Over/Under: 67
  • Spread: Oregon (-20)

Team Injury Reports

Bralon AddisonWR08/05/2014is out indefinitelyOutknee
Pharaoh BrownWR11/10/2014will miss the remainder of the seasonOutknee
Hroniss GrasuC11/09/2014is out indefinitelyOutknee
Tyler JohnstoneT08/11/2014will miss the entire seasonOutknee
Matt PiersonT11/23/2014is questionable for Saturday's game against Oregon StateQuestionableknee
Thomas TynerRB11/26/2014is questionable for Saturday's game against Oregon StateQuestionableankle
Gavin AndrewsG11/23/2014is questionable for Saturday's game against OregonQuestionablefoot
Chris BrownRB11/23/2014will miss the remainder of the seasonOutshoulder
Kellen CluteTE10/20/2014is expected to miss 3-5 weeksOutknee
Jalen GrimbleDT11/23/2014is questionable for Saturday's game against OregonQuestionableknee
Richard MullaneyWR10/19/2014is expected to miss the remainder of the seasonOutelbow
Ali'i RobinsDT11/23/2014is doubtful for Saturday's game against OregonDoubtfulcalf
Roman SapoluOL11/11/2014will miss the remainder of the seasonOutundisclosed
Isaac SeumaloG08/22/2014is out indefinitelyOutfoot
Darrell SongyLB08/07/2014will miss the entire seasonSuspendeddisciplinary
Noke TagoDT10/01/2014is expected to miss the remainder of the seasonOutknee
Terron WardRB11/23/2014will miss Saturday's game against OregonOutknee
Storm WoodsRB11/23/2014is questionable for Saturday's game against OregonQuestionableundisclosed

Injury reports per The Sports Network, via USA Today.

Prediction

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 22:  Quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 of the Oregon Ducks celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Autzen Stadium on November 22, 2014 in Eugene, Oregon.  (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty

Sometimes games just play out as the numbers say they will. 

That should be the case for the 2014 Civil War. The Ducks are simply too hot at the right time to falter in a trap game against a rival. This is not the same Oregon team that has crumbled with pressure on its shoulders in the past.

Mariota and Co. conquered Stanford. Then took down ranked Utah. Do not forget wins over Michigan State and UCLA, either. The Ducks are going to jump out early, neutralize the crowd and set sights on the title game.

Prediction: Ducks 40, Beavers 28

Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.

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