We’re taking an early look at Oregon’s opponents for the 2019 regular season. This 12-part series will feature analysis and insight from beat reporters who cover the teams Oregon will play this year.
Oregon State
Game date & time: Autzen Stadium, Nov. 30
2018 record: (2-10, 1-8 Pac-12)
Coach: Jonathan Smith, 2nd year (2-10)
Returning starters: 7 offense, 9 defense, 2 specialists
Most important returning players: QB Jake Luton, RB Jermar Jefferson, WR Isaiah Hodgins, WR Trevon Bradford, LB Shermar Smith, LB Hamilcar Rashed Jr., S Jalen Moore
Most critical departures: WR Timmy Hernandez, DB Dwayne Williams
OSU position previews: QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P
Oregon storylines:
- Pac-12 North race
If the division isn’t decided, whatever impact the Civil War will have on determining who is headed to Levi’s Stadium will be the primary focus for the Ducks.
- Continued dominance of series
Oregon ravaged Oregon State the last two years. There’s little reason to believe the results will be any different this season.
- Final home game for Herbert, Dye, seniors
It’s the last time at Autzen Stadium for Justin Herbert, Troy Dye, Shane Lemieux, Calvin Throckmorton, Jake Hanson, La’Mar Winston Jr. and the rest of the senior class. Herbert could be amid a Heisman campaign and use the Civil War as an exclamation point on the regular season. Dye could be approaching or breaking the UO career tackles record. Lemieux and Throckmorton should be vying for All-American consideration.
Oregon opponent early scouting reports: Auburn | Nevada | Montana | Stanford | Cal | Colorado | Washington | Washington State | USC | Arizona | Arizona State | Oregon State
Oregon State storylines:
- Stopping onslaught
The Civil War has been wildly one-sided of late and besides a win in 2016, OSU’s last win in the series was 2007. Even being competitive in the rivalry would be an improvement.
- Bowl possibilities
There will be few in the offseason projecting the Beavers to make a bowl game, but it’s not totally outside the realm of possibility. Games at UCLA, Cal and Arizona are all seemingly winnable, provided the offensive line and defense are vastly improved. If everything has broken right for OSU to this point it’s possible it’ll have something to play for besides pride.
An Oregon win would mean:
Capping off the regular season with a rivalry win at home. It’ll be a proper sendoff for a senior class that includes several of the program’s better players at their respective positions. If a division title is in the balance, it would be an even more meaningful day.
An Oregon loss would mean:
A monumental disappointment. Losing a rivalry game is brutal under the best of circumstances, but to lose to a team that you’ve outscored 124-25 the last two years and beaten in 10 of the last 11 years would be devastating. However, there is no reason to consider this even a remote possibility at this point.