CORVALLIS — With all the work it took to become bowl eligible and the one-game-at-a-time mindset to remain focused, this week has turned into a whirlwind of last-minute preparations.

Oregon State football coach Mike Riley didn’t seriously think about Oregon until Saturday night because he wanted his team in the postseason before moving on to the next challenge.

After the Stanford win he didn’t go over the video much because he didn’t have time.

The Beavers are preparing for the 110th Civil War in a short week. The Ducks are in the same situation when they come to Reser Stadium at 12:30 p.m. Friday for their final Pacific-10 Conference game of the season.

“As coaches we always wish for that one more day, let alone being in a short week,” Riley said. “We’ve all dealt with this some time in our lives. It’s not the first time we played on a short week, nor them. We are on even footing having played on Saturday. Both teams have to deal with the same thing.”

Several adjustments in the practice and training schedule will be made this week. Practice began Monday instead of today.

Riley will lighten up on the intensity of the workouts, feeling it is more important to teach the players about Oregon and for them to learn OSU’s game plan.

And there’s plenty to go over because stopping Oregon’s spread offense and athletic defense is difficult.

“I have a lot of respect for that team and the talent on that team,” Riley said. “I’ve seen them look absolutely unstoppable from time to time.”

His concern is of the sleeping giant. The Ducks have been blown out in two straight games, the latest at home to Arizona. They have turnover problems and a budding quarterback controversy with Dennis Dixon struggling.

OSU, however, has won five of the last six. The team has matured and is playing well in all areas.

“I don’t know if we are in better position (than the Ducks),” Riley said. “In these (rivalry) games you can throw out the records books, and we have similar records. I’m just excited about where our team has come from and accomplished to this point.”

Motivating his players this week won’t be a problem. Besides the rivalry, the Beavers are out for revenge from the beat down they suffered last year in Eugene that knocked them out of the postseason.

They have been secretly thinking about this game for a long time, while saying they face the season a game at a time. Oregon natives grew up learning this is the big game of the year, but even a guy such as running back Yvenson Bernard from Florida is riled up.

“We’ve been thinking about that since the beginning of the season,” Bernard said. “We’ve been thinking about getting them back. I’ve gotten into this game since my freshman year after seeing how everyone reacts. It’s the biggest game of the year and it’s fun. It’s a great opportunity for us. It’s even a home game, and that’s a plus for us.”

Much will be made about the home field advantage in the series with the home team winning the last nine games. It’s just happened that the home team was peaking at the right time, while the visiting squad was in the middle of a slide.

So the outcome is a sure bet since that scenario sounds familiar, right?

“That’s a great thing, but it’s no guarantee,” Riley said. “The Ducks are a great team. We just have to get ready to play a terrific game. I don’t put anything into the home field thing. I’m glad we are the home team, but those streaks eventually go away so you can’t put any stock in them. I know how good they are. They are scary talented. We need a good week of preparation.”

Adding to the game is a Sun Bowl invitation. The Beavers should receive it with a win, finishing third in the Pac-10. The Ducks can tie them in the standings with a win, forcing bowl officials to make a choice.

“Fortunately this game in the last decade has more stuff to it than who just wins the Civil War,” Riley said. “Bowl ramifications, placement in bowls — all that stuff. It’s pretty neat; it didn’t use to be like that. It’s another motivating factor but this game itself is enough.”

Oregon vs. OSU

Friday: Oregon (7-4, 4-4 Pac-10) at Oregon State (7-4, 5-3), 12:30 p.m., FSN