PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
The Beavers and Ducks are less than a month away from kicking off the 2012 college football season.
Both programs opened their practices this week.
Oregon State is hoping to put an end to two straight losing seasons, while the University of Oregon is expected to be among the best teams in the country again this year.
But first, the Ducks have to pick a quarterback.
All eyes are on the two quarterbacks in line to replace Darron Thomas, who was 23-3 as a starter, with 5,910 career yards passing, 66 touchdowns and 17 interceptions before leaving early for the NFL draft.
Freshman Marcus Mariota and sophomore Bryan Bennett have 22 practices over the next three weeks to win the starting job for the season opener.
Coming off a 12-2 season that ended with a Rose Bowl victory against Wisconsin, expectations are as high as they have ever been for Oregon, the three-time Pac-12 champions.
The Beavers kicked off their training camp on Monday with a new-look facility.
The team is practicing on the newly renovated Tommy Prothro Football Complex.
The Oregon State website said the facility got a facelift over the summer, with Field Turf replacing both grass fields. Lights were also added to allow for evening practices.
Sophomore quarterback Sean Mannion looked good in his first practice after an offseason of working with his receivers, according to a team report.
In sad news, Oregon State coach Mike Riley's father Bud Riley passed away on Saturday. Bud Riley was a former OSU assistant coach.
The Beavers start the season against Nicholls State on Sept. 1. The Ducks will take on Arkansas State that same day to begin their 2012 campaign.
Copyright2012 KPTV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
