Oregon rolls to 11-0; the Beavers are next

Oregon used a familiar script to run their record to 11-0. They struggled and trailed early, had a few self-inflicted wounds, gave lots of ground on defense but surged in the second half. They beat Arizona the same way they beat Stanford, Washington and USC, outscoring Arizona 34-3 in the second half until a late, meaningless touchdown, scoring on five straight possessions.

The Ducks gave up 506 yards and 29 points, a big chunk of the yards coming after they built a 48-22 lead. The Oregon offense rolled for 389 yards on the ground and converted 4-5 on fourth downs. Despite Arizona's relative success in the first half, you can safely say the California blueprint has been ripped to shreds. Now it's certain, if there was any doubt before: Oregon can score on anyone, provided they execute. Their only real enemy is self-inflicted wounds.

Duck fans have to be a little concerned, however, about the team's persistent pattern of falling behind and looking sluggish early. It's almost as if they orchestrate it, coughing up the football, bending and breaking early on defense. They've trailed in the second quarter against Tennessee, Arizona State, and Stanford, into the third quarter against USC. While you have to admire their conditioning and resilience, they have a rivalry game and the potential national championship ahead, and it's possible they'll meet an opponent that won't surrender the resolve and momentum so easily. There's nothing wrong with dominating a game from the beginning.

Tomorrow Oregon State plays Stanford, and the Ducks can rest, knowing the Rose Bowl and a second straight PAC-10 championship are clinched. They want to finish, while the Beavers one chance at a satisfying season would be to destroy a magic one for the Ducks.

Ryan Katz, Stephen Paea, Quizz Rodgers and the OSU coaches will give everything they have to win and earn a minor bowl in front of the home crowd. No doubt they'll study the film of the Arizona offense and the Cal defense, and try to put them together.

So far no one has. Oregon's overcome every obstacle, answered every criticism and won every day. Now only eight more remain to be won.