An independent newspaper at the University of Oregon www.dailyemerald.com SINCE 1900 | Volume 108, Issue 62 | Tuesday, November 21, 2006 SPORTS SPORTS EDITOR| Luke Andrews [email protected] Tuesday,November 21, 2006 SPORTS (541) 346-5511 UO grad is Rhodes scholar Task force Civil War week US THEM BY LUKE ANDREWS & JACOB MAY VS. BY LINDSAY SCHNELL DAILY EMERALD SPORTS EDITOR & DAILY BAROMETER SPORTS EDITOR SPORTS REPORTER WHY WILL YOUR TEAM WIN SATURDAY? If Oregon can figure out a way to stop the run, limit turnovers and inject a shot of confidence in quarterback Dennis Dixon - look out, It’s pretty simple: Sport is a creature of momentum, and it’s all swinging OSU’s way right now. The Beavs have won five of the last Oregon State. Until then, viva Las Vegas, baby. six and are ready for a rematch after last year’s embarrassing loss at Oregon. Running back Yvenson Bernard is finally healthy and quarterback Matt Moore has the nation’s longest streak for pass attempts without an interception (we’re as shocked as you), so OSU should win. Also lately, Oregon seems to suck. A lot. The prestigious award will WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE HOME TEAMS IN THIS SERIES WINNING EVERY GAME SINCE 1996? Both Autzen Stadium and Reser Stadium present viable challenges to any visiting team. But there really have not been any upsets in We’re not sure, but we’re happy the game is in Corvallis. this series since 1998. Since then, it’s just happened to coincide that the better team is the home team each year. And when they’re even, like when both teams were 5-5 in 2004 or 7-4 this season, having that home crowd behind you can make a world of difference. WHO HAS PRODUCED BETTER NFL PLAYERS? This is really a question of quantity or quality. It’s hard to argue with “Ocho Cinco” and T.J. in Cincinnati, Steven Jackson in St. Louis Let’s see, OSU has an entire receiving corps for the Cincinnati Bengals (Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh); Rams’ running or Nick Barnett in Green Bay as those guys are certifiable NFL stars. But when you talk about a consistent pipeline of players into the back Steven Jackson is a former Beaver; and Nick Barnett, who starts for the Packers went to Green Bay by way of Corvallis. Oregon, NFL, Oregon State is no match to Oregon. in comparison, has Joey Harrington … kinda. Chad Johnson was recently on the cover of Sports Illustrated. We believe the last time Now, whether those players pan out or not is a different story (See: Akili Smith). that happened with Harrington was after he was drafted - long before the world knew just how bad he really is. But don’t worry, Duck fans — we’re sure he still plays a mean piano. BENNY OR DONALD? No mascot’s appearance change has coincided as nicely with a change in its respective football program as Benny’s has. The smil- Let’s break it down by animal. What do Ducks do? They sit around in a pond and beg people for bread (much like Oregon Ducks sit ing bimbo once paced the sidelines during 28 straight losing seasons. Now, he looks pissed and the Beavers are a legit threat each around and continuously beg the refs to review plays). That’s pretty much it. Beavers actually build things — they dam rivers and are denounces year. Way to go, Benny. industrious; nature’s engineers, don’t you know? We’ll take the work ethic of a Beaver any day. Who’s ever heard of an eager Duck? provide Andrew Shipley a full It doesn’t even rhyme. STEWART OR BERNARD? These are two very quality, workman-like running backs who have proven they can win games. They both have tremendous power Like this is even a question. Duck fans would probably even secretly admit they wish Bernard played for Oregon. Why? Well, he’s not and speed. The difference? Stewart’s only a sophomore and his potential is staggering when he’s healthy. Remember, he was the a giant wimp. Stewart keeps “getting hurt” but whatever happened to sucking it up and playing through pain? Bernard’s ankle was highest-rated running back out of high school in 2005. so bad the day OSU played USC he could barely walk on it. But he suited up and tried anyway, determined to help his team succeed. Stewart, on the other hand, uses every excuse imaginable for being hurt as a reason for him not stepping up and leading Oregon to victory. I’ll take the tough guy. DIXON OR MOORE? These two have combined to throw 37 career interceptions. Moore seems to have regrouped this season after early grumblings from Six weeks ago we definitely would have picked Dixon. And now, Moore’s good: He’s not throwing interceptions anymore and has had Beaver Nation following a disappointing 2005 season. He has six interceptions this year and has thrown 117 passes without one, a recent flurry of rushing touchdowns. (He sure as heck isn’t fast, but he gets to the end zone somehow.) As we said before, we’re while Dixon has steadily gotten worse with 13 interceptions now on the season, including eight in his last five games. His mistakes, not sure why or how Moore suddenly got good, but we’ll take it. Dixon, in comparison, hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass against a especially on the road, have killed Oregon this season. Division I-A team in five weeks. Man, that’s a long time. We’re guessing after Friday, that streak will have extended to six weeks. ride to the University of Oxford WORST THING ABOUT THE OPPOSING TEAM? Inconsistency and off-field problems. Oregon State is not only inconsistent from year to year but in most seasons as well. How does We can’t think of anything besides those hideous uniforms and the fact that Oregon is the spoiled child of Phil Knight. But those a team lose 42-14 to WAC powerhouse Boise State and then beat a team like USC? Plus, the Beavers are a PR nightmare. It’s one seem like pretty good reasons to not like someone. thing to have a few run-ins with the law, but it’s another when they include farm animals. AUTZEN OR RESER? There’s really no debate here. Reser’s upgrade notwithstanding, the Beavers’ home pales in comparison to the atmosphere on Oh, like this is a fair question. It’s not our fault our stadium just got renovated or that the one side of it still kind of sucks. And on the game day at Autzen Stadium. side that doesn’t suck, students must sit in front of the handicapped section and therefore are not allowed to stand on bleachers. That sucks too. However, was the opening of Autzen celebrated with a free concert by country duo Montgomery Gentry? Nope, didn’t think so. Clearly we win this one. WHO HAS HAD THE BETTER SEASON SO FAR? When you consider big wins, Oregon State’s monumental victory against USC and Oregon’s miraculous comeback against Oklaho- Please see Oregon State vs. USC, Oct. 28, 2006. ma come to mind. Oregon’s win against the Sooners was marred in controversy. Take that victory away and the Ducks’ have beaten teams with a combined record of 21-34 excluding a victory against Div. I-AA Portland State. BEST SELLING POINTS FOR RECRUITS? Let’s see: Nike, innovative uniforms, unparalleled facilities and a city in Eugene that lacks the traffic and smog of a large city like Los In a week it will be that Oregon State beat an Oregon team who was originally thought to be a contender for the 2006 Pac-10 title. lecture as Angeles but certainly isn’t Corvallis or Pullman, either. Plus, you can watch high-definition television and play Xbox in the locker room, But before that: all the gay sheep a drunken recruit could want. which makes it easier to distract yourself when the team is down at halftime. BETTER COACH: RILEY OR BELLOTTI? Oregon coach Mike Bellotti is the dean of Pac-10 coaches for a reason. He is a beacon of consistency. So is Riley, but that’s consis- Sorry, Riley, you’re a nice guy, but we have to give this one to Bellotti. (If it makes you feel better, we’re gagging as we type this.) tent mediocrity. Bellotti scoops up outstanding recruits and then develops them over a few years, puts together bowl seasons and always calls cool, creative, trick plays. Riley, on the other hand, decides to go for it on fourth and two on our own 48. Not good. However we would like to take this opportunity to tell Bellotti: bring back the ‘stache. WHO HAS BETTER FANS? BY MEGHAN EIGO This is very even. Oregon fans travel very well, no matter how the team is doing. Oregon State fans, like Oregon, acquired a few on We’ll admit OSU fans aren’t so cool because they usually boo their own team, coach, quarterback, water boys, cheerleaders, etc. the bandwagon after increased success, but the true Beaver Believers suffered through rainy days and 28 straight losing seasons at But hey, they made a giant ball out of those foam things. That’s neat. then-Parker Stadium, while Oregon fans have seen mostly quality football in the last decade. This is a tie. IF YOU COULD BORROW ONE OREGON STATE FOOTBALL PLAYER FOR OREGON, WHO WOULD YOU TAKE AND WHY? This is easy … Sammie Stroughter.