After losing to Stanford less than two weeks ago, Oregon has found new life in terms of the Pac-12 championship game. The loss to Stanford gave Oregon the opportunity to control their own destiny for the first time since before the loss to Stanford. No. 5 Oregon now holds a half-game lead over the No. 9 Cardinal, and the Ducks have two conference games left to play. Stanford has just one, against Cal.
As fans were given plenty of time in between the Oregon and USC games, Ducks fans who were able to watch both games are now refueled with excitement, making the loss to Stanford seem less destructive than it once did. While it’s exciting for Ducks fans, the season isn’t over. The “Win the Day” mentality is still how the football team goes about their schedule. As Oregon fans were celebrating, the Oregon football players and coaches didn’t react to the USC win with as much cheer. Their focus is still on Arizona.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota opened up on what and where he was when he saw the Trojans triumph over, then fourth-ranked Stanford. Watching the game with his dad, Mariota noticed excitement around him from fans.
“I was watching the game at Red Robin with my dad and to see the community just get excited and for me personally, to get excited to have that opportunity to possibly play in the Pac-12 Championship is huge,” Mariota said.
But Mariota soon followed by saying, “We can’t overlook things, we can’t slip up and try to just look past Arizona. Our focus is here today and getting ready for Arizona.”
After the win over Stanford, USC has allowed Oregon to determine their own destiny, but the players and coaches state that nothing has changed in the mindset of the team and they’re strictly focused on Arizona.
“Obviously our guys know what happened and again it’s further evidence to handle our business,” head coach Mark Helfrich said. ”Every week in this conference, with very few exceptions, is a dog fight.”
Mariota commented on what kind of competition awaits them this Saturday.
“Those guys (Arizona) are warriors out there and we have to be prepared,” Mariota said. “It’s not easy to play down in Arizona, they’ve got a huge crowd that is going to be loud and it’s going to be a crazy atmosphere, so we have to be prepared.”
The scenario is now set. If the Ducks win out they will play in the Pac-12 Championship game. If they win, they could play in another Rose Bowl. One of the biggest bowl games in college football would make any player happy and excited, but for running back De’Anthony Thomas, it isn’t all that big of a deal.
“It’s not a big deal at all,” Thomas said. “I feel like we already won a Rose Bowl so I feel like it’s whatever.”
Thomas later talked about on the impact it will have on the younger players.
“It’s a good experience for the guys who haven’t been on this team and it’s a great opportunity for them to experience it and go out there and have fun,” Thomas said.
Marcus Mariota practiced with a brace on Monday but continues to work with trainers to get fully recovered. He is unsure if he will be in a brace this weekend at Arizona.
Follow Andrew Bantly on Twitter @abant3