How Oregon Can Beat Oregon State: 5 Keys to Victory

5. Handle The Emotions

The Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers are meeting on Friday night for the 127th time and it will be the 78th straight season the two have met. This is the last scheduled game between the two foes as Oregon leaves for the Big Ten. Emotions from the players and fans will be high but it will be important for Oregon to keep its head and limit the number of mental mistakes and penalties. The Ducks have a ton on the line including a shot at the College Football Playoff and cannot afford to let the moment get to them.

2. Feed Bucky Irving

The Oregon State Beavers will do their best to dominate the time of possession. As a result, it is crucial that Oregon is able to run the ball effectively to make sure they don't suffer many quick possessions on offense that give the ball right back to the Beavers. Bucky Irving is one of the best running backs in the country but he had a down game by his standards last time out and needs to return to form.

3. Be More Physical Than the Beavers

The Oregon State Beavers are known as one of the more physical teams in the country on both sides of the ball. The Ducks have been here before, with questions about how tough they could be coming before the Utah game. Oregon responded by hammering the Utes. They'll need a similar effort at the line of scrimmage against the Beavers.

4. Slow Oregon State's Running Game

The Beavers are coming off of a loss to Washington, a game that was close because they had the ball on offense for more than 38 minutes of the contest. That is the gameplan the Beavers will look to employ against the Ducks. Stopping the run on first and second down will force Oregon State into third and long situations, a matchup that greatly favors the Oregon defense.

5. Handle The Emotions

The Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers are meeting on Friday night for the 127th time and it will be the 78th straight season the two have met. This is the last scheduled game between the two foes as Oregon leaves for the Big Ten. Emotions from the players and fans will be high but it will be important for Oregon to keep its head and limit the number of mental mistakes and penalties. The Ducks have a ton on the line including a shot at the College Football Playoff and cannot afford to let the moment get to them.