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College Football: 20 best rivalry games to watch in 2018

By Maitland Rutledge

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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CORVALLIS, OR – NOVEMBER 26: Linebacker Caleb Saulo #35 of the Oregon State Beavers brings down quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks for a loss during then third quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Beavers won 34-24. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images
CORVALLIS, OR – NOVEMBER 26: Linebacker Caleb Saulo #35 of the Oregon State Beavers brings down quarterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks for a loss during then third quarter of the game at Reser Stadium on November 26, 2016 in Corvallis, Oregon. The Beavers won 34-24. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images /

20. Oregon vs. Oregon State

One of the oldest rivalries in college football pits the Ducks against the Beavers. Stereotypes are brought to light in this matchup; hippies against farmers and liberals against conservatives. Proximity, mediocrity, civility, acrimony, close games and foul weather make this rivalry what it is today. They call it the “Civil War” for a reason.

The series started in 1894 and has provided plenty of entertainment over the years. The tenth tie in the rivalry came in 1983 which was dubbed “The Toilet Bowl”. In a rain storm, neither team gained traction, literally, and it ended in a 0-0 tie. The 2009 game was more significant, nicknamed “War for the Roses”. For the first time the Civil War would determine who went to the Rose Bowl Game. Oregon won 37-33 in a shootout, playing in their first Rose Bowl since 1995.

While this rivalry has a lot of bad blood, one side has dominated for the most part. Oregon leads the series 64-47-10 all-time and has won nine of the last ten. Oregon State won 34-24 in 2016, but crashed and burned the following year.

Last year’s game was a 69-10 thrashing by Oregon. Oregon State finished 1-11 in 2017 and new Beaver head coach Jonathan Smith is looking to bring the program back to life, including snagging a few Civil War victories. While this rivalry is a matchup between a program currently on a path to more success and the other is reeling, this game is a must-watch for Pac-12 play each year and should be the same for 2018.