The end of the Pac-12 sucks. There is no outer way to put it. It’s one of the most storied conferences of all time, and of course, it’s “The Conference of Champions.” But the inevitable end is near, and we just have to suck it up and accept it.
This means that the Civil War between Oregon and Oregon State could also be over. The Ducks are headed to the Big Ten next season, while the Beavers are still trying to work out their futures. There could be a chance for them to try to revive the Pac, or they could try to join a lower conference like the Mountain West. If the Big 12 ever opens its doors again, the Beavers would come calling, but it’s unlikely anytime soon.
It sounded like the rivalry would continue when the Pac-12 made a push at keeping itself together, and even when Oregon was heading to the Big 10, but after releasing their 2024 schedule, the Beavers are nowhere to be found.
Nonetheless, this is a sad, sad ending to the Civil War. Although, it should be one of the great matchups in the series with so much to play for, given where both of these teams are ranked. Before the matchup on November 24, here are the top five reasons we are sad about the end.
It means a ton to the people in the state
As it should. This is an in-state rivalry game. This means more than just a conference rival. When playing for home turf and bragging rights, there is something with a little more “oomph” on the line. There should be a way to work this out. Florida and Florida State have always made it work despite being in the SEC and ACC, respectively. Dan Lanning said that this is a game he will prioritize keeping, but talk is cheap, and actions mean something.
“I know Oregon State is a great example of a game that we would love to keep,” Lanning said. “We want to get that opportunity to continue to play against them. I think it means a lot to the people in this state. That’s something we want, but that’s also a little bit out of our control now; we must see how the chips fall.”
The History of the Game
This isn’t some new rivalry. This isn’t some game that just became relevant. The Civil War, which is now technically referred to as the Oregon-Oregon State Football Rivalry, began back in 1894. Yes…we are talking about a rivalry that has spanned over 100 years. Only four different rivalry games have existed for a longer stretch. The win is priceless, with the Platypus Trophy as the main bragging right. There is so much heat and hatred felt in this game that in the mid-1910s, the contest was held in a neutral site to prevent rioting from happening.
The players impacted by this game range from college football greats to all-time NFL legends. You can’t just throw this game away without thinking about Marcus Mariota, Joey Harrington, Steven Jackson, Brandin Cooks, or Derek Anderson.
The Epic Games
You can’t talk about a rivalry without discussing some of its finest contests. There is no way to ignore the 2000 game, where both teams came into the contest ranked inside the Top 10. The Beavers won and prevented the Ducks from going to the Rose Bowl. Their win also clinched them a ticket to the Fiesta Bowl.
Or how about the 2009 contest that was won by Oregon by just four points? It was dubbed the “War of the Roses” because whoever won was guaranteed a spot in the Rose Bowl.
And if we really throw it way, way back, we have to talk about the 1983 game named the Toilet Bowl because of how bad it actually was. There were 11 fumbles, five interceptions, and four missed field goals. It was the final D1 football game to end in a scoreless tie, as it basically made the NCAA adopt overtime rules.
It’s more than just a game
The people and the fans play just as big of a role in this rivalry. Just look back at the 1960 contest. Oregon students abducted the Oregon State homecoming queen and delivered a “ransom note” that demanded the Oregon State’s student president ride a child’s scooter to the middle of town to receive the unharmed queen.
Years before that, Oregon students were cornered by Beaver students and held prisoner during a traditional bonfire. They shaved the Ducks fans’ heads and painted them orange and black. While you may not get away with that in 2023, this was all good fun.
There is still class in this rivalry
While some college rivalries are nothing but hatred and gross spewing of insults and jeers, there is still a classiness about this game that is a prime example of the people in Oregon. The best case of this was when Marcus Mariota won the Heisman Trophy in 2015. Oregon State could have just kept quiet; that’s what most rival schools would have done. Instead, they took out a full-page ad in the paper to honor and recognize what an accomplishment it was.
