Oregon St.-Oregon Preview

(AP) - Oregon can't dwell on what might have been this season, had quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. been healthy from the start.

The No. 18 Ducks (8-3, 6-2 Pac-12) need to prepare for the regular-season finale, the annual Civil War against Oregon State on Friday, and then await word on where they'll go in the postseason. An eighth straight 10-win season is still within reach.

Oregon has won five in a row, but its three losses - to Michigan St., Utah and surging Washington State - thwarted a second straight Pac-12 North title. The Ducks took care of their end Saturday with a 48-28 victory over then-No. 22 USC, but Stanford won the Big Game against California to clinch the Pac-12 championship game berth and a shot at the Rose Bowl.

''We are where we are,'' receiver Bralon Addison said.

Adams passed for 407 yards and six touchdowns, the most ever thrown against USC by an opposing quarterback. The senior transfer also shares the Oregon record for touchdowns thrown in a game.

As a result, the Ducks jumped five spots in the Top 25.

Oregon's winning streak coincides with Adams' return from a finger injury on his throwing hand. He was hurt in the season opener against his former team, Eastern Washington, and he struggled - even donning gloves for the first time against the Spartans - before the Ducks shut him down.

''I honestly think that if Vernon's healthy all season, and our defense is healthy all season, I think we might be talking about a big-time playoff run right now,'' Addison said. ''But we can't worry about that.''

In the five games since he's been back, Adams has thrown for 300 or more yards and four or more TDs in three games.

Adams was a record-breaking quarterback over three seasons for the Eagles before transferring to Oregon for his final season of eligibility. There were high hopes that he'd pick up right where Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota left off.

Now healthy and able to show his abilities in the Pac-12, Adams is winning praise.

''Tremendous football player,'' USC interim coach Clay Helton said. ''We knew we would have to get him on the ground and we just didn't get him on the ground enough. Credit to him, I have a lot of respect for the young man.''

Meanwhile, the Beavers aren't so discouraged about the season that they can't get up for the 19th Civil War game.

It's been a disappointing year for Oregon State (2-9, 0-8) to say the least, as it's lost eight in a row. The latest defeat was 52-7 at home against Washington last Saturday.

First-year coach Gary Andersen had already moved his team on to rivalry week minutes after the loss.

''Rivalry games are very, very, very important. That's what I told them when we left the locker room - they've got an opportunity to play in a rivalry game that's right up there as one of the best in the country, if not the best in the country,'' he said. ''The fact of the matter is you'll remember that forever.''

It was expected that the Beavers would struggle this season following the departure of coach Mike Riley and prolific quarterback Sean Mannion. Andersen installed a new spread offense and new defense.

The Beavers also grappled with a group of inexperienced quarterbacks. Dynamic freshman Seth Collins was the starter at the beginning of the season, but he didn't play in the last four games because of a knee injury.

Collins, known for his speed and athleticism, has thrown for 891 yards and six touchdowns in seven games, but also has four interceptions.

Nick Mitchell, who entered the season as the third-stringer behind fellow redshirt freshman Marcus McMaryion, initially started in Collins' place.

But Mitchell missed his first seven passes against the Huskies and was replaced by McMaryion, who threw for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Last week, Andersen said Collins was done for the season, but he was at practice Monday - playing at wide receiver.

''If we have an opportunity to use him and we think it's the best thing for the offense, then we absolutely will,'' Andersen said following practice.

After the loss to Washington, Andersen said it was possible that Mitchell and McMaryion would both play against Oregon, but he did not reveal a starter.

Collins' possible return aside, the ultimate outcome against the surging Ducks seems predictable.

However, running back Storm Barrs-Woods, who has played in a couple of Civil Wars, said he sees no motivation issues in what will be Oregon State's final game of the season.

''That game in itself is such a rivalry, it's such a big game, that I'm not worried about anyone on our team. The atmosphere of that game alone, you can't be flat,'' Barrs-Woods said.

''If anything, I'm gonna tell them not to get too over-pumped. Just calm down. Play football. Be positive. This is one of the greatest rivalries, and it's a blessing to be a part of it.''

Oregon has won the last seven matchups.