Oregon State University hosts the second in a series of 7s tournaments for college teams in the Pacific Northwest.

Last week at Western Washington University the teams were somewhat humbled by a strong Canadian contingent that finished 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th. In the defense of the American teams, those programs have been on the field more this fall, are varsity programs, and are, for the most part, essentially magnet schools for athletes.

But still the message was there - there’s a higher level to be achieved.

This week, with two tournaments on the dockets - one in Corvallis, Ore., and one in Boise, Idaho, the Northwest teams are split.

At Oregon State, the hosts field two teams, as do the Oregon Ducks. Washington, Western Washington, Willamette, and Pacific also send teams.

It’s expected to be a lovely fall day in Corvallis, and a tournament that should shake up the region. Washington had been on the upswing last year, but graduated some key personnel. They and Oregon should have a heated contest in Pool 1.

Western Washington has picked itself up after a rough 2013-14 season, and should challenge Oregon State in Pool 2. The Beavers, for their part, were very strong in the fall of 2013, but lost their most electric player, Pono Haitsuka, to the USA team. They will miss him.

Pool 1
Washington
Oregon
Oregon State 2
Willamette

Pool 2
Oregon State
Western Washington
Oregon 2
Pacific

Teams play three pool matches, and then the top two from each pool play in the Cup Semis, while the bottom two from each bracket go to the Bowl Semis.

All teams will play five games.