A PNW tradition lives on: Oregon vs Oregon State rivalry extended

As reported by The Oregonian's Bill Oram, the Oregon vs Oregon State rivalry game, will continue.

The extension of the rivalry is set to run through at least 2032. However, this Saturday's edition of the storied rivalry will be the last until 2027, when it was supposed to be the Beavers turn to host the game. Whoever the loser of this weekend's matchup is will have to wait for what will feel like an eternity to "get it back in blood."

The rivalry was first played in 1894, and has been contested annually since then, with just five seasons since without a game. 2026 will be the first year without an Oregon-Oregon State game since 1945.

Though the historical significance of this game is undeniable, and it truly is one of the best rivalries in the sport, as well as a heralded tradition on the West coast, some feel it's survivial is insignificant or unnecessary.

The heated nature of this game has not been lost on the players, as the reigning Big Ten defensive player of the week, Oregon LB Jerry Mixon stirred the pot in his media availability this week.

The Oregon State perspective

In an interview with 247Sports' Autzen Audibles/Duck Territory, Angie Machado of 247Sports Beaver Blitz shared the general consensus of the Beaver fan base.

"Fans don't want to see it, fans are kind of over it." Machado said. "With Oregon moving over to the Big Ten, with NIL, fans say this isn't a game that should be played right now... It's not even a level playing field, is what fans are saying, and that's very across the board on Beaver Blitz, that's the sentiment."

There are benefits to the game beyond just continuing the rivalry, the in-state nature of it keeps pages in the check book. Machado continued to say "I think from an athletic director standpoint both for Oregon and Oregon State, they see it as an easy game, especially for Oregon. It's a game that they don't have to travel, so in the Big Ten when you are travelling a lot of distance... Oregon wants this game, it's an easy win for them, and they don't have to spend the night travelling, airfare, hotel, all of it."

It's no secret that Oregon has had the upper-hand in this game for some time now. The Ducks have won two straight, and fourteen of the last seventeen. Angie Machado concluded this part of the interview saying: "From an Oregon State fan perspective, they would like to see this tabled for the foreseeable future... Until Oregon State has a media contract, a media deal... Oregon State thinks of this as a body bag game"

Body bag feels a bit harsh, especially considering Oregon State's recent relative success, winning twice since 2020. However, given the direction of both teams, it may be accurate moving forward, even as the Beavers figure out life in the new-look Pac 12. Oregon has the alignment, resources, talent, coaching, and just about everything you could ask for in order to compete at the highest level. As for the Beavers, it is much different.

Since former Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith bolted for East Lansing, Michigan to become Michigan State's head coach, it has not been very positive in Corvallis, much to the delight of Duck fans. Head coach Trent Bray has a 5-10 record through his first 15 games, and some have even called for his firing in the early part of this season. From excessive penalties, to sloppy play and sideline blowups, the team does not look connected or ready to win football games.

Jonathan Smith had Oregon State pointed in the right direction. Not only was he victorious over Oregon twice, but he had the Beavers appear in three straight bowl games from 2021-23, even reaching a 10-3 record in 2022, just one of three double-digit win seasons in Oregon State history. At one point in 2023, the Smith-led Beavers peaked in the AP poll at #10, their 7th highest peak ever, and 2nd best since 2000.

Rivalry and jokes aside, it is understandable why Oregon State faithful would have been okay with the annual nature of the rivalry not being extended, to an extent.

The Oregon perspective

This side should not require much explanation at all... What is better than consistently running up the score on your in-state rival? For most Oregon fans, you'd have to go back a long way in your fandom to find a stretch of evenly played games between the two sides.

As pointed out in the previously mentioned interview, Oregon gets an easy game on their schedule, along with limited travel as part of their non-conference slate, even when the Civil War is played in Corvallis. Considering Oregon will consistently be on the road in locations such as New Jersey and Maryland, it makes too much sense for the Ducks to wish to continue this,

About that aspect, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning commented on the travel in the Big Ten, and said "(Oregon State) is going to be travelling a bit more (in the new Pac 12), it makes sense to have teams who can play each other that are relatively close."

It is no secret that it is a special game for both the fans and the players, especially with those whose roots are in Oregon. There is no better example of this than former walk-on turned standout linebacker for Oregon, senior Bryce Boettcher, who was born and raised in Eugene.

When asked what the rivalry means to him, Boettcher said "This is my last rivalry game, baseball and football combined, and it's been quite the ride... I'm going to enjoy this one... I'd like to play Oregon State every single year for the rest of my life... I'm excited every week to play football, but this one definitely gets you up for sure."

Some of the fondest memories in the Oregon fanbase's collective concious have come against the Beavers. Whether it was the drubbing of the Beavs in 1987, the Pac 10 clinching victory in 2001, the epic "War for the Roses" in '09, or Mariota's hurdle in '14, some piece of this game's history holds a special place.

Though it may be more to the pleasure of Duck fans, it is a good thing the rivalry has been extended. It is good for the state, the fans, the players and the programs.

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is 2-1 against the Beavers, winning two straight since the gut-wrenching loss in Corvallis in 2022. This Saturday's game has the Ducks heavily favored, with the spread currently set at 35.5 on FanDuel. That is a touchdown larger than it was for Mighty Oregon's three opening games, which were all set around 28.5, depending on where you look.

An Oregon win would mean their all-time lead would extend to 70-49-10, continuing its lopsided nature in the 21st century. There's a reason that the games are played though, as former Texas and Duke QB Maalik Murphy's squad look to play spoiler in Eugene.

The game is slated for a noon kick, and will air on the Big Ten Network, as the Ducks sport their Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman-dedicated "Shoe Duck" uniforms, a sharp look.

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