Rivalry Weekend- Oregon vs. Oregon St.

Oregon Ducks #5 (10-1)  vs. Oregon State Beavers #15 (8-2) 

The 10-1 Ducks travel across town to face archrival Oregon State. After Oregon appeared to have a shot at the National Championship, they are now in a tough situation and are not in control of the Pac-12. Because of the loss to Stanford, Oregon is now 2nd to that same Cardinal team. Standford faces a tough test today at UCLA in which a Stanford win would create a rematch for the Pac-12 championship next Friday.

Oregon, led by freshman QB Marcus Mariota, needs a win at Corvalis today to have a chance at the Rose Bowl or another BCS bowl. Heisman candidate, Kenjon Barner, does not look like he has as much of a chance now that the Ducks are no longer BCS champion favorites. The Ducks can still fly and even through the rain, I expect a rebound from the poor offensive effort last weekend.

QB-Sean Mannion

On the opposing sideline will be the Beavers of Oregon State. This OSU team has been under the radar much of the season and possess a team very capable of beating this Oregon squad. Ranked 15th in the nation, an Oregon State win could place them in the highest Pac-12 bowl outside of the BCS. The beavers would love to knock their rivals out of the BCS bowls as well as capping an over achieving season. 

Prediction: Due to my belief that rivalry games always make the game a TD closer than it should be, I think Oregon wins in the end. Much closer than people think adding in the weather elements. The ducks struggled at home in tough weather but they will squeak this one out this afternoon.

Final Score: 31-24

Sportacular Sports BCS Standings Analysis

BCS Standings

Last night on ESPN, the BCS standings were released. To no surprise, Alabama stands atop the polls at Number 1. After defeating Texas Tech this weekend, Kansas State jumped up to Number 2 in the rankings. Therefore, they should have a pretty good chance at making the Championship game if they finish the season undefeated. Not only did K-State jump the Ducks but so did Notre Dame. With their statement win over the Sooners in Norman, the polls believed that was much more impressive than Oregon's 70-14 blowout win over Colorado on Saturday. 4 SEC teams are ranked #5-8. LSU, Georgia, and Florida all have one loss, and without Marcus Lattimore South Carolina holds the Number 8 spot. Pre-season favorite Florida State ranks at Number 9 while Big East leader, Louisville, rounds out the Top 10.

Kansas State's Remaining Schedule

The Wildcats finish up with 4 tough Big 12 games starting next weekend against #24 Oklahoma State. Heisman front runner Collin Klein is having a breakout season and while Oklahoma State is a good team the Wildcats should take care of business on Saturday Night. Unfortunately, the nature of College Football says that Kansas State will at one point be upset. TCU doesn't seem like the candidate without QB Casey Paschall but don't be shocked if the Wildcats travel into Waco, Texas and falls to the unranked Baylor Bears. If Kansas State does win that game look for them to face Alabama in the National Championship

Notre Dame's Remaining Schedule

The Fighting Irish have an excellent chance of finishing the 2012 season unbeaten. Their only tough task exists in their final game in Pasadena. When Notre Dame travels to the Rose Bowl it could be Notre Dame's final shot to make a case for their National Championship bid. It will be interesting to see how the polls would view a win over USC and see if it would put them ahead of #2 Kansas State. Without a slip-up by Kansas State though, I don't see Notre Dame jumping the Cats.

Oregon Duck's Remaining Schedule

The Ducks of Oregon have yet to face a tough opponent this season but the final four weeks could be major trouble. No defense has made the Ducks offense even flinch. Freshman Quarterback, Marcus Mariota, looks like a four year senior and Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas cannot be stopped. The Ducks finish the season with 3 out of their final 4 on the road. They travel to USC this weekend in their first real test. USC, pre-season favorites, are now playing the role of spoiler and defiantly have the fire power to do so. If Oregon State can remain near the top of the charts the final game of the season would be exciting. If the Ducks went on the road and defeated the Beavers, unlike Notre Dame, the polls could potentially push the Ducks past Kansas State.

Predictions
The chances that all four of these teams finish undefeated looks possible but in fact is very doubtful. At least one of these teams will slip up probably even a second. This would have been a great year to implement the 4 team playoff. Instead we will have to wait it out until the final week of the College Football regular season. I predict both the Ducks and Notre Dame will eventually fall. Oregon plays too many tough road games and eventually their defense will catch up to them. Similar to Notre Dame, the offense will not be able to put up enough points against the Trojans and fall. Watch as Kansas State and Alabama face off in the National Championship game.