Oregon-Oregon State battle in the Civil War for a ticket to the Rose Bowl

When Oregon State goes into Autzen Stadium to do battle with the Oregon Ducks on Thursday night, it will be an epic showdown for the ages. It might not award either team a berth in the National Title game, but it will punch a ticket to the second biggest bowl there is-the Rose Bowl.

Besides this weekend's SEC Championship game between Alabama and Florida, there is no bigger game than the "Civil War." In fact Oregon-Oregon State might be the second best college football game all season long.

Oregon is 9-2 with only one of those losses coming in the very talented Pac-10 to Stanford and the other was to the undefeated Boise State Broncos.

Oregon State has three losses, two of them have come against Pac-10 opponents; USC and Arizona. Their other loss was early on in the season to the undefeated Cincinnati Bearcats.

Both teams have gone through very difficult schedules, only losing to other top conference teams and undefeated outside of the Pac-10.

Both teams feature exciting and fast running backs who can change the game at anytime. Last years Pac-10 player of the year, Jaquizz Rodgers leads the way for the Beavers while LaMichael James has been on fire lately for the Ducks.

The teams are pretty equal at running back, however the edge goes to the Ducks at the quarterback position. Jeremiah Masoli is an absolute gamer and has been able to take over games all season long. Beavers quarterback Sean Canfield has also had an impressive season.

Canfield rarely makes and mistakes and has been playing is best football as of late. He and James Rodgers have great chemistry, so expect a big game out of the other Rodgers brother as well.

Masoli on the other hand can make things happen through the air as well rushing the ball. He had a spectacular game in his last performance at Arizona, accounting for three touchdowns through the air and on the ground.

This is definitely a game that could go either way. Oregon has the home-field advantage, but the Beavers are playing better. Oregon has struggled as of late against some tough teams, while the Beavers have been playing weaker competition.

The Ducks will come out firing on all cylinders and quickly prove that they are a dominant team while at home. Masoli will control the ball and continue to beat up the Beavers defense as the game rolls on. In the end the Ducks will be playing in Pasadena on New Year's for the Rose Bowl.