The Oregon Ducks will have a bowl game to play after the Civil War ends Saturday night at Autzen Stadium.
Oregon State's attention will turn to the future.
The Beavers need to hire a football coach, say Cal offensive coordinator Beau Baldwin.
Baldwin, Washington co-offensive coordinator Jonathan Smith or whoever, the job would be incrementally easier if Thomas Tyner or Ryan Nall -- ideally both -- stick around to help in 2018.
Nall is a junior athletically, but is on track to graduate after the winter term. He has options.
Nall could return for his senior season, the way Oregon running back Royce Freeman did. Or, Nall could transfer to another school without penalty and play immediately. Or he could declare for the draft.
I think he has an NFL future. The NFL game loves players with Nall's size, speed and hands. I see him as a combo H-back/fullback if he wants to play professionally.
Tyner has the most unique backstory in this year's Civil War, playing two seasons for the Ducks before taking a medical retirement.
He returned this year to play at Oregon State, and has had a boffo last half of the season.
Tyner is listed as a senior, but could petition the NCAA for another year of eligibility. OSU coach Cory Hal, a former NFL safety, believes Tyner could play at the next level.
The O's Danny Moran has written superb profiles of both players this week. Here they are:
Tyner will see the Civil War rivalry from the other side on Saturday in Autzen Stadium. His future? He isn't saying.
Nall stays mum about his future with Civil War looming.
Being a major college running back is a punishing, physically demanding avocation. I don't think anybody should do it if his heart isn't in it.
If you're certain to be drafted, I think the smart call is to go pro. Playing another college season is an injury risk not worth taking.
But it's not my call to make. Whoever takes the reins of the OSU program has a big stake in the decisions Tyner and Nall make.
OK, more links:
Tyner returns to Autzen Stadium, this time with the visiting team.
Ex-Oregon State running back Ken Simonton is full of praise for Oregon's Royce Freeman, who is closing in on Simonton's Pac-12 record for career rushing TDs.
You wouldn't know it, but Freeman is playing hurt.
Your fashionista report on Oregon's Civil War uniforms: all green.
The O's John Canzano has 121 factoids you may or may not know about the Civil War.
Nall was a guest on Canzano's radio show, and talked about the Civil War and beyond.
Oregon QB Justin Herbert is ready to get after the Beavers.
UW broadcaster Bob Rondeau approaches retirement while remaining where he prefers it — behind the scenes.
How marquee quarterbacks Jake Browning and Luke Falk match up in the Apple Cup.
UW co-defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake has no beef with safety Jojo McIntosh's targeting ejection.
Digging through five memorable Apple Cups.
At Stanford, they will be paying close attention to the Apple Cup.
UCLA officials have a face-to-face meeting with Chip Kelly.
Kelly's decision reportedly has narrowed to UCLA or Florida.
Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com: Chips will begin falling when Kelly makes a decision.
The R-G's Steve Mims: UCLA plays for the future by firing Jim Mora.
Jeff Miller of the OC Register: Mora has departed, but he leaves a legacy behind.
With Mora gone, some UCLA recruits waver.
The Merc's Jon Wilner has some unsolicited advice for UCLA as the Bruins look for a coach.
The future can wait for UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen.
Rosen says the UCLA players are "forever indebted" to Mora.
For Cal, the playoffs begin this week at UCLA.
While Stanford and Washington State are up in the air about the Pac-12 North, South Division winner USC rests, relaxes and waits.
Greg Moore of the Arizona Republic: It's time to close the door on the Todd Graham era at Arizona State.
Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez is off the hot seat heading into the Territorial Cup.
Tight end Trevor Wood could see duty on Arizona's decimated defensive line.
Gordon Monson of the Salt Lake Tribune: No reason to fire Utah coach Kyle Whittingham.
Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune: ESPN analyst Rod Gilmore's comment about Utah punter Mitch Wishnowsky comes close to the line.
Colorado, missed expectations and all, takes on Utah team that has lost six of the last seven.
Colorado receiver Bryce Bobo comes up big as a senior.
For Utah, making a bowl game would be a springboard into 2018.
Utah players want to send the seniors out of 2017 on a winning note.
Texas A&M coaches come out of practice to see a report that they won't be retained.
The links from Duck Sports Now.
The links from Beaver Sports Now.
-- Ken Goe
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