Oregon Ducks Football Campus Voice: Civil War CXIII

Well, well, well, it all comes down to the 113th edition of the Civil War.

Win and head to Pasadena, California for New Years, and a little thing called the Rose Bowl. Lose, and, well, your heart is broken and you will live in infamy as the one who lost in the biggest Civil War in history, except, of course, for the actual Civil War.

But, just like the actual Civil War, the rivalry will split families and friends apart. This time it will be based upon their allegiance with either the University of Oregon, or Oregon State University.

The two schools could not be any more opposite from one another. While Oregon State is best known for its orange and black colors, hard-nosed, lunch pail style of play and facilities that serve a purpose, rather than being flashy, Oregon is all flare. Green and yellow, a quick and exciting spread-option offense, an endless supply of different jersey combinations, and new, high-tech facilities best describe the University of Oregon.  

Not a whole lot has changed around campus since the escape in Tucson nearly two weeks ago. Students are still very confident in their teams’ prospects tomorrow night cannot foresee an outcome other than a Duck victory.

And why shouldn’t they? There have been no signs throughout the season that Oregon will not show up tomorrow and play with heart, grit and determination. Nearly every time the Ducks have been challenged this season, they have stood toe-to-toe with their foe and thrown the challenge right back in their opponents face.

However, the Beavers have done the same and should have the same kind of confidence that Oregon fans are showing. They have done their usual midseason turn around and have become a force to be reckoned with coming down the stretch.

Anyways, the University of Oregon campus is ready to burst with excitement as the hours tick down to kickoff. Eugene’s population has been jumping up as visitors from all across the state and region come in to participate in the festivities in and around Autzen Stadium.

Autzen is assuredly going to be in a frenzied and hostile state on Thursday, showing the nation its capabilities. There has been debate about whether or not it was a good idea to have the game on a Thursday since it will interrupt students’ classes and fans work schedules for both Thursday and Friday. Many people will have to get off work early, and miss the morning hours on Friday.

However, fans and students need to sacrifice one day of classes and one day of work in order to get the two Oregon schools on the national radar. If this game were to be aired on Saturday, it would be overshadowed by the SEC title game, and therefore become meaningless.

This is a great opportunity for the PAC-10 and Oregon to get the recognition it needs and so desperately deserves. For years the PAC-10 has been USC and nine other schools, which has been incredibly unfair.

Tomorrow is a great day in the history of Oregon and Oregon State football. Hopefully the two teams will live up to the hype surrounding the game and make it a legendary matchup.

I know who I am rooting for, do you?

GO DUCKS!!!!