Marcus Mariota Will Play vs. Beavers
Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks certainly took their lumps in last week’s 42-16 loss to the Arizona Wildcats, but the good news for Oregon fans is that Mariota is healthy enough to start today’s regular season finale against the team’s heated in-state rival, the Oregon State Beavers.
After taking a blow to the head late in last weekend’s loss, Mariota was evaluated for a possible concussion this week, but told reporters that he’s passed all the necessary tests and has been cleared to play in the Civil War today.
“This game does mean a lot. It means a lot to the state,” Mariota said, according to ESPN.com. “It’s an honor to play in it.”
Mariota, who threw his first and second interceptions of the season in the defeat, said the loss and the picks felt worse than the actual hit he took from Arizona cornerback Shaquille Richardson. The loss marked Oregon’s second of the season and caused the Ducks to fall outside the top 10 of the BCS Standings, which consequently eliminates them from the 2013 national title discussion.
Still, Oregon should feel it has plenty to play for today, as it aims for another 10-win season and a sixth straight victory in the storied series with the Beavers. Meanwhile, Oregon State will hope to improve its bowl-season standing with an upset win over the Ducks. Both teams likely feel disappointed with the way their respective seasons turned out, but at this point, it’s all about finishing on a high note and with pride.
“We are just going to have to come back and bounce back,” Mariota said. “We have to come back and just fight and control what we can control.”
The Ducks are three-touchdown favorites coming into today’s game, but considering Oregon was favored by the same margin last week – and ended up losing by nearly 30 points – some bettors will obviously be apprehensive about blinding following the Ducks – although it has been profitable most of the season. Still, with home field advantage and a renewed sense of pride, Oregon should come out with more fire and more firepower today.
Look for Oregon to cover -21 in the rivalry win.
