Which side of the Civil War do you support tonight?

Submitted by WanderingWolve on

With the Oregon-Oregon State game tonight, who are you rooting for knowing that the winner plays our least-favorite buckeyes? I'm pulling for the Ducks as I think they'll give osu far more problems than Oregon State.

NHWolverine

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:10 PM ^

I want the Beavers in the Rose Bowl so Bob De Carolis can (possibly) come to us next season as our AD with a win over Ohio State. It just feels right to me.

Also, this:

Playing No. 7 Oregon instead of No. 16 Oregon State in the Rose Bowl would give No. 8 Ohio State a better opportunity to obfuscate if not obliterate the bad national vibes from its recent history of losing bowl games.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:10 PM ^

Oregon. Tougher opponent for OSU. I want OSU to get embarrassed so that the redneck faction of their fanbase gets louder and the pressure on Tressel gets heavier. A nice 49-14 drubbing would make the Big Ten look bad, but Tressel would take all kinds of heat. The faster he leaves the better.

In any other case I'd be pulling for Oregon State.

UMaD

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:15 PM ^

I live in Portland and watching Duck fans behavior after beating us (twice) makes me root for them to lose whenever possible. Plus I have issues with Nike's ($$$) relationship and influence with that school. Oregon State fans are generally much more down to earth and less band-wagony.

I'd probably feel differently if I was still in the midwest, but I'll be rooting (half-heartedly, but still) for the Buckeyes, whoever they play. I don't want to hear it from the Pac10 crowd. Its one thing if USC is crushing all Big10 comers but another to have the Oregon schools topping the B10's best.

GOBLUE4EVR

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:19 PM ^

that the founder of nike is a alum of orgeon, and that is where nike got its start??? so of course phil knight is going to DONATE a lot of money to that school. just like steven ross donated 100 million to michigan... every school has a couple of massive boosters...

UMaD

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 PM ^

That doesn't mean I have to like them.

Ross is an individual whose company isn't marketed or intertwined with the athletic department like Nike is. I actually don't have a problem with the Duck's unis on their own, but the overt marketing that goes on is a turn off for me. Its hardly the same thing as UofM.

Engin77

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 PM ^

the turning point for me was a couple of years ago, after back-to-back National Championships in baseball by Oregon State. Oregon decided to drop wrestling and restart their baseball program. Obviously, Nike can make more money selling baseball gear than wrestling gear, but why dilute the talent base? Just for spite?

loosekanen

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:15 PM ^

I support the 10 points Vegas gave the Beavers. That seemed like way too much for a rivalry game that will decide a Rose Bowl berth. This should probably be a one possession win on either side. I say Ducks by 4.

oc michigan fan

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:19 PM ^

From interviews and a friend who played for Mike Riley, he might be the nicest guy on the planet. It's hard not to root for the guy.

On the flip side, I feel an Oregon shredding of tUoOS in the Rose Bowl will give me hope for the future of our offense.

But still, go Beavs!

mi_vandal

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:21 PM ^

I grew up in Corvallis, had season tickets and went 10 years without missing a home game, parents still live there... I'm wearing my orange today.

This is pretty much the biggest college football game in state history - we couldn't even imagine something like this happening back when both teams just stank (i.e. all of the 80's).

As a consolation prize, I'd very reluctantly accept watching the Ducks spread offense shred that other school called OSU in Pasadena.

DoubleB

December 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 PM ^

that this is the biggest game in the history of the state. First time the winner goes to the Rose Bowl. Ducks have been there exactly twice since 1920 (1957 and 1994) and haven't actually won it since World War I. Beavers haven't been since 1964. It's an ag school versus a "hippie" school separated by 40 miles. Should be a good one.

jamiemac

December 3rd, 2009 at 2:30 PM ^

Oregon did win the conference in 2001, but the Rose Bowl hosted the national title game, so they played in the Fiesta Bowl, where they smoked Colorado and ended up #2 in the national polls.

Just wanted to point that out. Regardless, these programs dont get to play for the league title that often, so your point is accurate.

mi_vandal

December 3rd, 2009 at 4:49 PM ^

I think the point that DoubleB is trying to make is that it's the first time that either team would clinch the Rose Bowl bid, depending on who wins. There have been a few times that only one team could clinch by winning and the other was playing spoiler (like last year).

I was at the 1994 Civil War when the U of Zero clinched the Rose Bowl by barely beating OSU. That was a sad day. Curses to Dino Philyaw.

tdumich

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:24 PM ^

on one hand i really don't like oregon after they whooped our ass and came out at half time of the 2007 game with that big ass hammer/axe looking thing and hit the M at mid field. on the other hand, i think they have the better chance of beating osu in the rose bowl than does oregon state. i guess i'm pretty indifferent and just lookin for a good game.

Chuck Harbaugh

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:32 PM ^

Oregon because:

the first single woman I stumbled across after my divorce was a stunning 35 yr old redhead named Molly. She came from Cottage Grove Oregon (the parade location in Animal House) and aspired to a journalism degree from UO but her life got in the way.

Molly was far above the pay grade of a schlub like me, yet we hit it off, and she stole my heart. Four years later, she's in LA, but I will still do anything that would bring her joy. In this case, rooting for the worst uniforms in football over a team named "Beavers" is my sacrifice. (Not that rooting for a team to "pound the Beavers" doesn't bring its own kind of joy.)

Engin77

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:44 PM ^

Almost every team I root for goes down in flames, these last few years. So I'm gonna wrap myself in indifference. "Rose Bowl? How nice for you. It's not enough to go to Pasadena, you have to win."

That said, Autzen Stadium is a very tough place to play. Oregon State did win there 2 yrs ago, but that's because Oregon was wiped out at QB and started their 4th string guy. The Beavers haven't smelled Roses since 1964, when they lost to M, 7-34.

Shalom Lansky

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:50 PM ^

As exciting as the football game will surely be, the title of the thread had me thinking (hoping!) that there would be a civil war reenactment, ideally featuring a cast of chimps. Maybe they could do this for a halftime show? Sweet.

gujd

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 PM ^

and I wish Michigan was still with Nike, but since I have no real rooting interest I am going to root for oregon state because they are the underdog. Also, I can feel for them in that they get this type of game and it falls on a year they play on the road (read michigan at OSU 2006). Besides, if oregon st beats OSU in the rose bowl, that's far less explainable by tressel than if it's the spread and shred again.

jamiemac

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 PM ^

I like the Beavers +10 and over 62.5.

I'm debating if I like one of those plays more than the other.

But, this will be a great game. Very fun. Much better than the Bills/Jets swill on the NFL Netowrk tonight.

I wrote extensively about the Civil War on my blog. It's a long read, with some Michigan relevance thrown in, so give it a read. We have seven hours till kickoff, so you have time.

seattleblue

December 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 PM ^

I'm rooting for Oregon State mainly because I like Sean Canfield and I like Jaquizz Rogers' name. However, if Lagerette Blount plays for Oregon I will reconsider my position.

bklein09

December 3rd, 2009 at 2:07 PM ^

Rooting for the ducks has always been a touchy issue for me.

My girlfriend who I met at Michigan was born and raised in Portland. She is a Michigan Woman through and through (thank god!), but her family are big duck fans.

The thing is that I kinda like the ducks. That is, however, until someone starts talking trash about how they beat us twice or how much better the pac-10 is than the big ten. Those are the moments when my allegiance instantly switches to any team they are playing on a given week.

To complicate matters, I just applied to oregon state for graduate school.

So in the end, I really am not sure who I want to win tonight. I do know that I love the matchup. On one side you got the high-flying duck offense led by masoli and james and on the other you have the beaver twins (mmmm...beaver twins).

I think the deciding factor will be that the ducks have a better chance to light up the nuts, as many of you have pointed out. But who knows, maybe that will all change after I have to stare at 60,000 duck fans on tv for 3 hours.

pdxblue

December 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 PM ^

I live in Portland and attended the John Navarre Michigan loss at Autzen. In general, Oregonians are incredibly nice people, but the treatment we received at UO was just horrible. My son was 6 at the time and I had to stop adults from trash-talking and taunting a 6 year old! Plus, a lot of kids from the high school in our town end up at Oregon State. It is fun being around the buildup and excitement, but it makes me miss the days of Michigan Football and national relevance.

SportsBrewKings

December 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 PM ^

I've never disliked Oregon but that beat-down they gave us in 2007 opened up eternal respect for that program. Definitely pulling for the Ducks in this one. A 39-7 win over Ohio State would be even better.

Sambojangles

December 3rd, 2009 at 2:13 PM ^

Oregon, just to be able to watch that offense go nuts on New Years over OSU's overrated defense.

It would be kinda cool to see OSU vs. OSU, though. I wonder what the score bug will say. Ohio and Orgn, or some similar abbreviation?

Aequitas

December 3rd, 2009 at 2:16 PM ^

Every freaking year we have to see that stupid highlight of that moron and his fey hammer. It always brings up fresh wounds of how painful the games with them have been.

The billionaire sugar-daddy owner, the uniforms, the stupid crown on the field...I can't stand them.

Oregon State has enough to beat Ohio and there'd be no chance for vindication by the Buckeyes in a big game against a #5 or #6 Oregon team.

TESOE

December 3rd, 2009 at 2:18 PM ^

I just dropped my daughter off at school here in Portland and every kid in her class was decked out in green or orange (my daughter wears only Maize and Blue - BTW) I have been through the Sparty and Buckeye blues for too long not to recognize true college football at it's best.

Juxtaposing the rivalry here vs M/O(hio)SU (and perhaps more proximately to MSU) it's telling. There is another way. My step father is a 90 year old Sparty. He's a good guy, and very pleasant to spend time with, even to watch basketball with. I have neighbors and even co-workers who are Buckeyes - they are all good people.

Would that Gabe King would go Blue instead of moving out here, but I'm hopeful we can get Mich/OSU back on track to Rose Bowl relevance. Having true stakes in rivalry games makes fall/winter fun. Especially without the one-upmanship BS that seems pervade back home (and dare I say on this blog - this morning.) I know the history...I just think there is a different way. Schadenfreude be damned.

Go Blue! Wolveriners...and while I'm at it...Go Beavs!

PS-There is no way in heck I'm rooting a non Big Ten team over a Big Ten team in the Rose Bowl. How does that serve Mich?

MGOARMY

December 3rd, 2009 at 2:24 PM ^

I want to see the ducks win tonight. I love the idea of oregon wearing all yellow uni's and shredding osu with the spread. It would help me envision how michigan will be beating osu over the next decade.