Forget the records. The seven combined wins, just one of which came this fall against a winning team.
The stakes of Saturday's Civil War between the Oregon Ducks and Oregon State Beavers are more significant than they let on.
Or, actually, don't forget the records. Because it is precisely the hopes of brighter days ahead that have raised the stakes for each program entering the 120th Civil War, the oldest college football rivalry in the west.
Saturday's importance is twofold. Not only because of what could happen on the field, as each team attempts to cap unfulfilling seasons with a confidence-boosting victory, but because of what could happen immediately after the Ducks and Beavers step off the Reser Stadium turf.