Oregon football, Oregon State rivalry showdown: Stories to get up to speed

Oregon's postseason hopes ride on rivalry game against Oregon State, with Ducks aiming to avenge last year's loss. #OregonvsOregonState #DucksFootball

The No. 6 Oregon football team is gearing up for a crucial end-of-year showdown against in-state rival Oregon State, with their postseason hopes hanging in the balance. Last year, the No. 16 Beavers pulled off a stunning comeback victory, dealing a blow to the Ducks' Pac-12 title aspirations. This defeat has fueled Oregon players as they prepare for this year's highly anticipated matchup.

This game marks the 127th meeting between the Ducks and Beavers, and it is currently the last scheduled contest between the two teams. This storied rivalry has spanned three different centuries and has been played continuously since 1945, producing many memorable moments.

With Oregon set to move to the Big Ten next season and Oregon State still determining its future in the Pac-12, this game holds even greater significance as it may be the final showdown between the two teams.

Oregon is coming off a dominant 49-13 road victory over Arizona State, while Oregon State suffered a narrow 22-20 loss at home to Washington. The Ducks are heavily favored to win, with the Beavers having only secured one victory at Autzen Stadium in 14 games since 1994.

A win for the Ducks would secure their spot in the Pac-12 championship game against Washington, while a loss, coupled with an Arizona victory, could see them miss out on the conference title game and a potential New Year's Six bowl berth.

As the game approaches, there are key factors to consider and numerous stories to catch up on before what could be the final clash between the Ducks and the Beavers.

For more sports coverage, visit registerguard.com and follow Chris Hansen on Twitter @chansen_RG. You can also reach out to Alec Dietz, who covers University of Oregon football, volleyball, women's basketball, and baseball for The Register-Guard, at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @AlecDietz for the latest updates.