Rooting Interest in the Oregon Civil War

When my Brother moved to Oregon more than 10 years ago, one of the first things he told me when I first visited him was that I had to take a side when it came to the Oregon Civil War.  You have to be either a Beaver or a Duck.  You had to wear either Oregon green and yellow (now virtually any and every color) or Oregon State orange and black.  You had to choose sides.  I gave some though to it (at that time Oregon wasn't Chip Kelly-great, but still was winning more than they lost) and decided that I had no desire to be a Beaver.  None.  Ever since then, when my Brother texted me about the game, I greet him simply with a "Go Ducks" text back.  He would get a little pissed, even though we grew up in Connecticut and went to UConn.  But he needs to get a little pissed since he lives inside Beaver territory.  Kind of gross if you think about it.  Oh yeah, their cheerleaders are better looking, too.

This is what they play for?

But the 115th meeting of Oregon and Oregon State would have a new viewer.  G was interested in the game only as solution to his boredom problem.  His interest started growing, however, when I told him that the teams' names were the Beavers and the Ducks.   And the intrigue involving the Platypus Trophy (the trophy was found in a UO janitor's closet after being missing for over 40 years) was enough to seal the deal. 

"Ha ha, I like those names, Dad!" he giggles  sitting down on the couch with me.

"And your uncle like the Oregon State Beavers."  I explain to him.

"So you are rooting for the other team?"  I guess brothers never get along, since G roots for the Ducks with me and his brother begins to root for the Beavers - just because.

But the rivalry, similar to a brother who is 4 years older, hasn't been fair for the past several years.  After seeing OSU win 10 of 11 Civil War games through 1974, University of Oregon has dominated the series ever since going 26-9-1.  In fact, the series has been marked in the last three years with a 65 point drubbing by Oregon in 2008 and a win last year that catapulted Oregon to the National Championship game against Cam Newton's destiny.

This year's Oregon team is again led by Junior standout LaMichael James - the only player I know in this game.  His career started when LaGarrette Blount popped a Boise State kid after a loss in 2009.  James is now the leading rusher in Oregon history and the fourth leading rusher in Pac-12 history - as a Junior.  Because of his injuries, and the fact that the NFL motto is not "Suck for James" he's not going to win the Heisman Trophy, but he's a good little player.

We only end up watching the game off and on...it wasn't much a war.  James unbelievably dislocated his other elbow (he dislocated his first elbow in the first game of the season), but Oregon still won handily, 49-21.  G left for a friend's house at Halftime and C sat down for a little while when he got home, only to get up 10 minutes later to play with his nerf basketball set.  I guess these games don't matter as much here on the East Coast.

But you know what?  Go Ducks!  I think I'll go call my brother.

Cam Newton Under the Gun (by Children)

Questions from children?  Cam Newton wishes these were the biggest problems he was facing.  He's playing the biggest game of his life against the Oregon Ducks in the 2011 National Championship Game.  He's dodging questions about the pay for play allegations he faced in his University Florida days and he's trying to become the next Randall Cunningham or Peyton Manning (and not the next JaMarcus Russell - Robitussin DM anyone?).  Incidentally, I can't help but think that Newton knew exactly what his Father was doing.  I mean, what if one of the teams accepted Cecil Newton's overtures?  Wouldn't Cam Newton want to know why his Father was making him go to a certain team without consultation?

My six year old is clearly excited for the game.  "This is the most exciting game, Dad.  It's Cam against Uncle Mark!"  Of course, his brother is named Cam and his Uncle lives in Duck Country.  Actually, this is the most excited I've been about a game on TV since I compared watching a game live vs watching a game on TV.  I love high scoring affairs and this game could see 90 points between the two teams.  I love trick plays and odd formations and we could see fake field goals, fake punts and drop kicks.  I don't know what to expect.

But the focus is on Cam Newton.  The 8 year old name sake to the Heisman Trophy winner was asking a bunch of questions that led me to believe that he was also excited (although he was rolling his eyes and making fun of the whole affair - almost to the point that I thought he was going to ask me for the car keys).  When I came downstairs to the boys watching the pregame, I was finally curious enough to ask what they thought about the most notorious college football player since Lawrence Phillips.  Here are a couple of their responses...



I will play for cash

 1.  8 year old.  He has my name.  That was a no brainer.

2.  6 year old.  Cam Newton made it to the Super Bowl!  This would be astounding that he thought the championship game in College Football was named the Super Bowl, but every time the Patriots are playing, he asks if it's the Super Bowl.  I guess we've been spoiled these past 10 years if every game he hears he thinks is the Super Bowl.  Let's just say that young Jets fans don't ask if every game is the Super Bowl.

3.  8 year old.  He's the best quarterback in football and he's on the Auburn Tigers.  I personally think Andrew Luck is the best quarterback in football.  Rex Ryan would probably think that Jim Harbaugh coached Luck up and Gene Chizik is just some stiff.  I still think that Luck is a better quarterback. 

4.  6 year old.  He throws it straight!  I'm not really sure what to make of that so I just shake my head in agreement.  I also think that he distracted by Oregon's ugly yellow cleats.

They start throwing out a bunch of different things that they've learned about Newton.  They've obviously done their homework so I ask them who they are rooting.  "I'm rooting for Cam's team."

Cam then answers "Well, I'm not rooting for them."

"You're not rooting for your own team?"  I ask him, trying to confuse him in a Laurel and Hardy way.

"Wait which team is Cam Newton on again?" They both ask me.  Whichever team pays him the most.  Just don't call me Cecil.