Beaver fan here and this is "almost" accurate Jeff. We played with less than a coach so to speak, We would have been better off if J. Smith had simply flown out to East Lansing on Wednesday to announce his decision on Thursday morning. It might have given the Beavs a chance to get more jacked up just to give him the proverbial middle finger by winning the game on Friday night.
I’m afraid we were losing that one regardless, Kent. But we may have been more competitive with the extra juice his early departure would have provided, to be sure.
I'm more disappointed. I could care less about the ducks or hearing anything about the ducks. I read in the Oregon Stater some history. In the late 50's when Oregon was the "little brother", the Pacific Coast Conference broke up and OSU was invited to stay with the big guys. Oregon State declined to leave their little brother behind. Oregon on the other hand would not repay the kindness and instead opted for the greedy path and break up of the Pac 12.
My friend is the editor of that magazine. She said that discovering that anecdote, at that moment, was pretty amazing... and it went down as expected with everyone who read it. I hadn't heard it before either.
Yep, we all still have the same priorities we had in the age of leather helmets. And, the world is no different than it was then. Oregon State's last Rose Bowl team was 3-1 in conference standings....hmm, maybe we should go back to that?
It’s a major indictment of USC and UCLA that there doesn’t appear to have been any similar effort to keep the California rivalry games running with Cal and Stanford.
I wouldn't assume Cal and Stanford are interested in playing those two. There's a lot of bitterness and not much scheduling need speaking from the Cal fan side of things.
I have no dog in the fight, but I know UCLA lobbied hard to keep other UCs from moving to to the FBS with the argument that 2 was enough and more would split the talent and funding too much. Then they abandoned Cal.
They're just seen as a conniving and undehanded program within the UC system.
Cal are a bunch of academic snobs, sure, but they're not the ones with the history of screwing over the other UCs athletic programs.
I think you have it a tad wrong. Cal and UCLA are part of the UC system. It’s common knowledge they (and USC) wanted no part of SDSU (CSU system) in the PAC 12.
It’s been the Aztecs’ goal since leaving the PCAA in the late 1970s.
I suppose Fresno State and SJSU (CSU BCS teams) coveted the P12, but I doubt they were considered at all until the recent exodus.
The only other UC school to play football is UC Davis of FCS.
I would think Cal and Stanford do have a scheduling need, since they are going from a conference that played 9 games to one that only plays 8. Seems to work perfectly for them to match up with OSU/WSU to fill each other's void.
The part about OSU trying to play Virginia makes zero sense though. It means a cross-country trip and I skeptical that Virginia is going to fill Reser Stadium (they are about on par with Purdue, who play there next year).
Travel for one game further away has frequently happened for Pac12 schools. Texas, Hawaii, Ohio and many other places. One game in Virginia is not abnormal.
I"m assuming Cal plays Oregon State in 2024-25-sounds like it's nearly a done deal. It's possible that Cal would have a need in 2026 for another game but it's cross country travel for ACC makes many think that Cal should schedule schedule winnable games. It already plays at Florida in 2026 so it doesn't have a burning need for another Power 2 opponent IMO.
It will never be the same, and not only because of when it's being played. And eventually when the fans realize it and stop caring (seems like some already have) then the schools will probably realize there is no longer an economic benefit to playing each other and decide to move on.
Agreed. While I applaud the effort to continue the “tradition,” the dux chose to move on, thereby signaling their lack of concern regarding tradition. And what of the other rivalry sports? OSU vs. UO basketball? Baseball? Hell, the dux didn’t even have a program until the Beavs won the CWS. Will these rivalries die on the vine after this year? Highly, highly likely.
Jeanie (next post) makes an excellent observation as well in that school won’t actually begin until about two weeks after the game, so what kind of student turnout will there even be? And on Sept. 14, temperatures could be in the 80’s, maybe higher. Sorry, but that ain’t Civil War football. No, the tradition is over.
Just relaaaax, Beaver fans. Bide your time. College football as we know it is a ticking time bomb. Change will come and you’ll be afforded an opportunity to rejoin the top tier. In the meantime, scheduling UO will help keep the program relevant and top of mind.
As a Beaver fan, I'm still very torn about this. I get that it helps the program in a time of need to schedule a true Power 4 opponent, but I don't like the thought of giving Oregon an "out" here when they played a role in killing the Pac-12. At least next year's game should be competitive with both teams replacing several starters on both sides of the ball.
From an OSU standpoint... strictly OSU... it is a big help to have 7 home games to sell next season. Gives them a huge advantage at a time that they need it.
Nice strawman argument. "Arbitrarily assigning bad karma", no, the ducks did that with the other schools that destroyed the conference and significantly destroyed their athletic program revenue stream. As to how things will shake out, it's quite apparent things will not be as they were as they don't even have a new conference to play in.
If they were currently “bankrupt” I would acknowledge the truth of what you say. But they are NOT. Give your team a fighting chance before you go around pronouncing them dead! Even the litigation is not final. The ongoing changes in the NCAA are not final.
And a big help going forward. With Washington off the schedule, there is no other team that will provide anywhere near the value and profile as an opponent that will come to Reser at all, much less on a regular basis, as Oregon will.
I hope the people who are calling for OSU to NOT play Oregon are also planning to write checks to OSU to cover the large loss of revenue they will suffer AND write checks to the NIL to cover the additional amount that will have to be paid to recruits AND write checks to pay for what it will cost to get the replacement game televised AND write checks to the area businesses that support and buy advertising from Oregon State AND write checks to the university to subsidize admissions for the lost enrollments AND write checks to the employees who won't get paid as much, or even get to work at all at a game against a lower level program. And then write some more checks to cover other collateral losses.
Because that is EXACTLY what will be required to offset doing long term damage to the program, the university, and numerous others, that not being fiscally responsible will do.
The delta between the game revenue for playing knight school versus scheduling a different team, isn't going to be the make or break factor in OSU's athletic budget or the economy of Corvallis. If it is, there isn't a check big enough that you, I, or anybody not named Phil could write to OSU to fix that. But it isn't.
I agree, Chuck. Beavs could definitely regularly schedule teams that would result in a sellout. We don’t need the Quacks for that, and surrounding businesses could also benefit from fans who travel to watch the games.fans coming to
They don’t care about their team or the school, Andy. And I bet few of them who complain so loudly have given a dime to athletics, except for maybe a game ticket. They would love nothing more than to see miserable failure for the Beavers so they could cry “I told you so, and it’s all the Ducks fault!!”
That's the Ducks' great fear, isn't it? How this all looks to the greater state of Oregon? How this affects their beloved "brand"? Don't worry, that's already in cement.
Exactly. The BigTen takes into consideration for non-conference scheduling the seasons there are either four, or five, home conference games. For example, in 2023 Iowa had 5, and played Iowa State on the road. In 2024, they have 4 and will host Iowa State.
It's not "charity." It's cashing in a home game in 2024 that they didn't need (they get 5 Big Ten games at home, plus an extra OOC home game because they are playing at Hawaii) in exchange for a home game in 2025 when they will only get 4 Big Ten games at home.
“Out” for Oregon? They had their schedule set already, didn’t need to do this, but made the effort for the sake of the rivalry and the state of Oregon.
Lived in Iowa for a few years and witnessed the in-state CyHawk rivalry build-up. It reminded me of the Civil War. Clothing, sporting goods, and grocery stores were full of Iowa State and University of Iowa gear. Other stores had window fronts decorated. This was also a September game between two teams in different conferences. Neither team had an in-conference rival that generated similar enthusiasm. This is good for the State of Oregon.
That game was renewed after 43 years of not playing. 5 of the first 6 games after renewal were played at Iowa because Iowa State had a small stadium. All the fans thought Iowa would kick Iowa State's ass due to disparity in programs. Iowa State won 4 of the 6 including 3 at Iowa. The status of the Iowa St program at the time was like Group of 5. It wasn't Big8 vs Big10. It was little brother vs big brother, and little brother had the juice. Didn't take long for people to ask, "43 years? What the hell were we thinking."
The big difference is that both Iowa and Iowa State are still in P4 conferences.
You don't here much about the Iowa, Northern Iowa rivalry do you? How about the Ohio State/University of Ohio Rivalry? Arkansas/Arkansas State? There's a reason you don't.
Those schools don't play annually. They don't have the juice of an annual rivalry. But, for example, in 2009 Iowa hosted Northern Iowa the first game of the season. Iowa won by 1 point after blocking a field goal from Northern Iowa as time expired. That Iowa team escaped, and finished the season in the Orange Bowl. They've played 3 more times in the last 14 seasons, two were close. FCS N. Dakota State beat Iowa 23-21 at Iowa in 2016. Conference affiliation did't mean a whole lot.
Those rivalries don't exist, period, and there's a reason why. Sure you can find a single game every once in a blue moon. App St beating Michigan at the Big House, James Madison beating Nick Saban and Alabama in Tuscaloosa, but those are outliers, not the norm. Not to mention, all of what you just mentioned happened before the media dollar gaps got so HUGE, and before NIL and the transfer portal. If you understand any of this at all, you'll see how the circumstances are not the same as they were back then, and all the key players on those underdog rosters that upset or played the big boys tough, wouldn't have even been on those rosters in today's game. Those lower level schools can't pay them enough to keep them and the rules don't restrict players from leaving for better opportunities. So yeah, David slayed Goliath with a sling shot a few thousand years ago, but it hasn't happened since, and especially not since the invention of the automatic rifle.
I get it, but it didn't have to be that way. Such shirt sightedness on our commissioners and school presidents, including OSU and WSU. John has already pointed out that with the LA schools, the Pac12 would have garnered at least $40 mill per school. SC and fICLA thought they were worth more than the others, which true. The market has proven that. So in the interest of fairness, each of the other 10 schools put $2 mil of their $40+ mil in the kitty. That's $20 mil right there. You give SC $15 mil of that and fUCLA the other $5 mil. Now, SC is getting $55 mil a year. Not quite the $60 mil the big 10 is getting but close enough that it's still a better deal when you add in the additional travel for all sports where the ducks went on record saying it will be an additional $10 mil a year in travel. So SC is actually getting more net than they're getting now in the big 10. fUCLA is getting $45 mil a year. Take the $10 mil in extra travel into consideration, and they're only off $5 mil. Not enough to walk and with SC happy, there is no partner for fUCLA to move with and the Cal board of regents would never approve them splitting from Cal.
That would leave the other 10 schools getting AT LEAST $38 mil a year. More than the ducks and UW are getting from the big 10, plus the $10 mil in reduced travel. That's the equivalent of $48 mil a year to them in the big 10. Again, at the best estimate that's still more than they'll make in the big 10.
As for the 4 corner schools, they're only getting $32 mil a year in the Big 12 and Furd and Cal are getting ZERO from the ACC. So the Pac 12 would've been the 3rd best funded P5 conference and every single school would've been getting more than they will be getting next year.
Before you say this is all hindsight and it's always 20/20, no its not. These figures were projected long before anyone left, by Bob Thompson who John has used as a source many times, and has been right on the money every time. So in reality, the schools that left created a problem that didn't have to be, and it all started with SC and fUCLA.
If pigs had wings they might resemlbe robins for some people I suppose. Can you imagine the uproar in Seattle this year if USC and UCLA had that much more coming from the Pac12 including a subsidy from UW? Thompson's projections were based on USC sticking around, and USC did NOT want to stick around regardless of money from the Pac12. How do we know that? Because they approached the BigTen in SECRET rather than ask the Pac12 for a subsidy. They wanted one decision path, not a choice.
And while we're flying your false flag, what would have kept Oregon, Washington, Utah from asking for their own tier....thereby demanding more money from OSU and WSU? That would be 5 hands into OSU's pocket.
I'm not interested in being Oregon's charity game once a year. If we can stay competitive fine but it's hard to see that happening. Oregon wants to be a midwest team so let them start a rivalry with Iowa or something.
As a MD native and Terrapins fan, the only positive out of this whole realignment disaster is that I'll be able to go to Eugene and see the Terps in person next year for the first time since they played OSU in a bowl game in SF (which I think was 2007).
It will likely be the only time that can occur given the voracious actions of the "elites" to eliminate what they consider imposters. I think you'll have a better chance to see your beloved "turtles" playing in Corvallis than Eugene in the coming years.
You’re not looking at the big picture. It’s not ALL about W-L. Each game is an experience to be enjoyed. The pre game routine, the walk to the stadium, entering to see the bright colors of the competing teams, the band, the dogs, the beer, the fans, the hope, the disappointment, the “maybe next year” or the “we got em today.” THAT’S what it’s about.
I guess you and I are in sports for different reasons. I go to a sports event to watch cheer my team to win. If my team is so uncompetitive that it can't possibly win, I will find something better to do with my weekend afternoon. I think I am in the massive majority on this. But you do you.
A fan is never realistic. Fan, short for fanatic. I enjoy winning as much as anyone. My experience with sports doesn’t revolve around national relevance. I grew up in the Bay Area. Been in Oregon since 1971. I’ve kept my childhood teams as favorites. I’ve seen the Giants, 49ers in the bottom of the standings and with the winners trophy. Along the way I’ve seen the Blazers suck and play as good as anyone. I became a Beaver fan in the early 80’s along with my association with OSU’s agriculture dept. Turf grass to be exact. I’ve watched them loose and win. I’m a fan. I’ll wait to see how the book progresses in the next chapter. All the while being a fan and cheering the young men and women of OSU. Have a nice day.
There is a big difference between watching a given team, down on its luck, like the Blazers or even the 1980s vintage Beavers football team, and two teams at completely different levels of competition, like Oregon and OSU (next year and on). Whereas the Giants or Blazers are still in the "big leagues" and so receive the same opportunity to draft players (with an advantage picking first) and the same income as their opponents, this is not true for the Beavers. They have been relegated to a lower level of competition, with less ability to recruit top players (and they don't get to pick first like in the majors), with much less income and donations with which to attract players. They are in a lower level league going forward with much less media exposure, lower level bowl games and no real chance to compete for the national title. It is essentially like a minor league baseball team, even if Triple A, having to compete with a major league team. They have next to no chance (might beat the major league team 1 out of 100). So you do not make a compelling argument.
I’m not here to offer you a compelling argument. I’m a fan of the university and it’s athletic department. Maybe you should move your loyalty 45 miles south so you can be in your big show. We won’t miss ya. 👋
You overstate your assumption that you are in the majority. I feel you may be in the vocal minority. But neither of us can back that up so, I agree you do you. Always leaves to rake!
Nothing you say will turn these crybaby Beaver fans from cutting their nose off to spite their face. They are intent in trashing their own school by forecasting the death of Beaver football before their team even has a chance to attempt reorganization. It’s really sad that they are hoping their prophetic demise of their team comes to pass so they can scream “I told you so!”
Totally with ya. I started watching PAC 8 sports 70 years ago at a Stanford track meet. My dad was a polevalter back in the 20’s so he liked Track. I hate to see the PAC 12 die but it did. However I’ll be a fan of what’s next. No sense bitchen.
The Ducks and other schools have relegated the Beavs to third world status in college football revenue, thereby cutting them down at the knees. It won't be as competitive in the past, which is why the Ducks helped kill OSU's future to gain a monopoly on P5 now Power 4 football in the state for their own greed. The Beavers dug out of their Gary Anderson grave just to be killed again. This game will never be competitive again.
Michael is absolutely correct in his prediction. Read the article that was linked on one of yesterday's posts about what is being proposed by the NCAA to loosen all restrictions on cash going to schools that will be the new autonomous group, i.e., the biggest, richest schools, so that they can directly pay players instead of going through NIL collectives to do it. This will free about 25-30 schools to conduct an even bigger arms race than currently exists. School on the edge or outside that circle will be forced to compete at a lesser level.
If the proposal which Charlie Baker is putting before the NCAA comes to fruition, OSU will be on the wrong end of that deal and the gap between haves and have nots will widen.
There is no longer a CW game, it's a sham, body bag, payday game and will be a humiliating reminder of the dirty deeds done dirt cheap by Phil's Wallet Inc.
The Beavs best hope is that realignment gets crazy again in a few years and they get back into a respectable conference that can provide what they need for recruits and revenue.
Probably because it won’t be played. That’s the only reason I see. If this abominable event keeps returning (like a stumbling zombie), your predictions about the perfection of the future Quackz against the Beavs will hit the Notyom 10, where they will lie ignored and impotent for decades.
If you don't give an a flying F... why are you so addicted to posting here? Guess you may be trolling after all. Good luck... we don't give a a flying, running or swimming F about your obtuse comments. Check out the history of the Platypus Trophy to get the joke on you. Oh the irony.
The unbridled free for all that is NIL, and the transfer portal, are going to be reeled in and better regulated soon. That will help settle the waters a bit.
Now that's some actual speculation. As much as anyone would think that makes sense, it's not going to happen, at least in the way you might be thinking because what the NCAA is considering is basically un-tethering the largest and richest schools within the Power 4 conferences to collect as much money as they can to pay athletes directly, rather than through NIL collective (Booster) groups. They will be able to hire as many coaches as they can afford, and pay as much as they want to recruit and compensate players.
If a school sees that it will not be able to compete in an all out, no holds barred arms race, it's alternative will be to compete at a lower level.
OSU will be neither able or willing to spend at the levels required to be a part of the top tier the proposed system will create.
Give me a reason. What is your theory how OSU can claw its way back to national football relevance. Unless you can explain it to me, you should also be realistic
Claw our way 'back' to relevance? What cool aid are you drinking today? OSU would crush Liberty, who the vaunted Ducks drew in the lottery, but they drew a real bowl game versus Notre Dame. You give up too easily, there are many cards to be played yet and even if OSU has a down year or two because money once again dictates competitiveness in college 'professional' football, how do you know the script doesn't get flipped yet again. down the road? I self identify as an Optimistic Idealist. 😉 "While in the end the pessimist may be proven correct, the optimist has way more fun on the journey." - Daniel Reardon "A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." -Harry Truman Lighten up and have some fun - the future lies ahead!
I think that the Liberty matchup shows the blatant disrespect that the CFP has had, and continues to harbor, in deference to the SEC. After all, it is the CFP "Garden of Eden" from which all good things flow. This, as believed by ESPN and the media behemoth surrounding the SEC.
OSU COULD have crushed Liberty. That is past tense. All the players that made OSU a legit Top 20 team are leaving. They will not be replaced with 4 star and high 3 star athletes. They will be replaced with whatever the Beavers can get, which is low 3 and 2 stars, if not walk-ons, just like in the 1980s. OSU will only be able to recruit to a G5 level and until the dust settles and they have a conference and media contract, it will be a low level G5 program like New Mexico State. At that point, they will NOT be able to compete with Liberty, which went undefeated in a G5 conference this year. And I am fine with all of that. G5 teams have fun games with each other and at their G5 bowls. But no way, Utah State or Air Force can go toe to toe with Top 20 teams. If you don't get your hopes too high you can find pleasure in lower level football, as long as games are between equals. Rather than glibly say "there are many cards to be played yet", why don't you tell me what they are and how OSU can again recruit well enough to compete with the Top 20? I am very curious. But if you just flip that off because it sounds nice, then forget it. I live in the real world.
Claw back? Did you see their ratings this year, constantly in the top 25? You are judging where you think they will be in the future before giving them even a chance. There’s a reason they’re playing ND in a bowl game. If they go in the toilet next year with a 1-11 season that’s one thing, but please give them some hope! This doomsday blabber is an insult to your Beavers.
Ehhh, no thanks. Not interested. Wish the Beavs would've stood on principle and told the Ducks to pound sand for their part in destroying the conference and screwing over OSU.
My feeling is Pacific coast teams in the Big Ten are going to have their hands full just managing their league schedules and traveling across the United States. All this touchy-feely stuff about keeping local rivalries going for old times sake might be in the current realm of thinking. But as time goes on, seems to me that the Civil War and the Apple Cup will become shells of their previous selves. Two programs struggling to stay relevant and competitive shooting for an upset over their Big Ten brothers. That might be good for a diversion, but without those games counting in league play, they will become just another of each team's three "exhibition" games each season. It's a tragedy, I know, and as a Pacific coast football fan for the last 60+ years I'm sad that this is happening. But beyond the first year or two of these rivalries continuing, I can't see much beyond that.
OSU played without a head coach in the 2023 game, as well.
Well played :)
I see what you did there.
Remember to “like” for more outstanding content.
😂
You should have your own sports column. Too funny…
Listen up... it was funny. I will give him that. But it's a sentence. One sentence. Let's not get carried away with this sports column business. 😂😂😂
Former news reporter here, John. I can provide longer clips to prove my worthiness to write sports columns—but I’d rather not accept the demotion. ;-)
Beaver fan here and this is "almost" accurate Jeff. We played with less than a coach so to speak, We would have been better off if J. Smith had simply flown out to East Lansing on Wednesday to announce his decision on Thursday morning. It might have given the Beavs a chance to get more jacked up just to give him the proverbial middle finger by winning the game on Friday night.
I’m afraid we were losing that one regardless, Kent. But we may have been more competitive with the extra juice his early departure would have provided, to be sure.
Very true...
Not that it made a difference.
I'm more disappointed. I could care less about the ducks or hearing anything about the ducks. I read in the Oregon Stater some history. In the late 50's when Oregon was the "little brother", the Pacific Coast Conference broke up and OSU was invited to stay with the big guys. Oregon State declined to leave their little brother behind. Oregon on the other hand would not repay the kindness and instead opted for the greedy path and break up of the Pac 12.
My friend is the editor of that magazine. She said that discovering that anecdote, at that moment, was pretty amazing... and it went down as expected with everyone who read it. I hadn't heard it before either.
Yep, we all still have the same priorities we had in the age of leather helmets. And, the world is no different than it was then. Oregon State's last Rose Bowl team was 3-1 in conference standings....hmm, maybe we should go back to that?
Oh...you mean values right?
It’s a major indictment of USC and UCLA that there doesn’t appear to have been any similar effort to keep the California rivalry games running with Cal and Stanford.
I am going to let those schools worry about themselves/
I wouldn't assume Cal and Stanford are interested in playing those two. There's a lot of bitterness and not much scheduling need speaking from the Cal fan side of things.
Especially between Cal and UCLA.
Basically every UC system school hates UCLA. They're arrogant turds.
That’s rich. Berkeley has always looked down on the Baby Bears. And then UCLA surpassed them big time.
I have no dog in the fight, but I know UCLA lobbied hard to keep other UCs from moving to to the FBS with the argument that 2 was enough and more would split the talent and funding too much. Then they abandoned Cal.
They're just seen as a conniving and undehanded program within the UC system.
Cal are a bunch of academic snobs, sure, but they're not the ones with the history of screwing over the other UCs athletic programs.
I think you have it a tad wrong. Cal and UCLA are part of the UC system. It’s common knowledge they (and USC) wanted no part of SDSU (CSU system) in the PAC 12.
It’s been the Aztecs’ goal since leaving the PCAA in the late 1970s.
I suppose Fresno State and SJSU (CSU BCS teams) coveted the P12, but I doubt they were considered at all until the recent exodus.
The only other UC school to play football is UC Davis of FCS.
I didn't bring up SDSU or SJSU.
I would think Cal and Stanford do have a scheduling need, since they are going from a conference that played 9 games to one that only plays 8. Seems to work perfectly for them to match up with OSU/WSU to fill each other's void.
The part about OSU trying to play Virginia makes zero sense though. It means a cross-country trip and I skeptical that Virginia is going to fill Reser Stadium (they are about on par with Purdue, who play there next year).
Travel for one game further away has frequently happened for Pac12 schools. Texas, Hawaii, Ohio and many other places. One game in Virginia is not abnormal.
I"m assuming Cal plays Oregon State in 2024-25-sounds like it's nearly a done deal. It's possible that Cal would have a need in 2026 for another game but it's cross country travel for ACC makes many think that Cal should schedule schedule winnable games. It already plays at Florida in 2026 so it doesn't have a burning need for another Power 2 opponent IMO.
Yep. They were so fracking important before that we ended up with the strange inter-division scheduling. Now not so important.
I have a hard time believing Cal-UCLA won't end up being scheduled regularly once everything shakes out.
USC and UCLA will play each other in B1G. Cal and State Stanford are facing off in the ACC. Sigh. Those are the big rivalries.
But definitely could see them playing in the future. If the UC system stuck its nose in on Calimony, why not demand they play?
Glad it’s going to continue but it won’t feel the same as a November game when the stakes are much higher.
The weather will be much better!!
And school has not started yet. How many students will show up early?
It will never be the same, and not only because of when it's being played. And eventually when the fans realize it and stop caring (seems like some already have) then the schools will probably realize there is no longer an economic benefit to playing each other and decide to move on.
Agreed. While I applaud the effort to continue the “tradition,” the dux chose to move on, thereby signaling their lack of concern regarding tradition. And what of the other rivalry sports? OSU vs. UO basketball? Baseball? Hell, the dux didn’t even have a program until the Beavs won the CWS. Will these rivalries die on the vine after this year? Highly, highly likely.
Jeanie (next post) makes an excellent observation as well in that school won’t actually begin until about two weeks after the game, so what kind of student turnout will there even be? And on Sept. 14, temperatures could be in the 80’s, maybe higher. Sorry, but that ain’t Civil War football. No, the tradition is over.
Just relaaaax, Beaver fans. Bide your time. College football as we know it is a ticking time bomb. Change will come and you’ll be afforded an opportunity to rejoin the top tier. In the meantime, scheduling UO will help keep the program relevant and top of mind.
As a Beaver fan, I'm still very torn about this. I get that it helps the program in a time of need to schedule a true Power 4 opponent, but I don't like the thought of giving Oregon an "out" here when they played a role in killing the Pac-12. At least next year's game should be competitive with both teams replacing several starters on both sides of the ball.
From an OSU standpoint... strictly OSU... it is a big help to have 7 home games to sell next season. Gives them a huge advantage at a time that they need it.
It's still garbage.
The Ducks helped bankrupt OSU. Now OSU has to play them on even less equal footing.
It's like your neighbor offering you breadcrumbs after they burned your house down.
...and then urinating on the smoldering ruins.
Finally...something you'd be good at, Chuckie...
Harrumph!!!! If I weren’t so old, along with the squeezed plumbing problems that result, I might possibly be a half-decent pisser, too!
You're one of the best, Monte...keep firing away!
Ego te absolvo.
Stola ekta colo...
You guys are acting like 5 yr olds.
Take the breadcrumbs and use them to stuff a roast duck.
How do you figure PSU is “bankrupt?” You are arbitrarily assigning bad karma to your own team before we even know how things will shake out.
Nice strawman argument. "Arbitrarily assigning bad karma", no, the ducks did that with the other schools that destroyed the conference and significantly destroyed their athletic program revenue stream. As to how things will shake out, it's quite apparent things will not be as they were as they don't even have a new conference to play in.
Those are called facts.
If they were currently “bankrupt” I would acknowledge the truth of what you say. But they are NOT. Give your team a fighting chance before you go around pronouncing them dead! Even the litigation is not final. The ongoing changes in the NCAA are not final.
Shutup shill.
And a big help going forward. With Washington off the schedule, there is no other team that will provide anywhere near the value and profile as an opponent that will come to Reser at all, much less on a regular basis, as Oregon will.
They can take their profile and put it where the sun doesn't shine.
I hope the people who are calling for OSU to NOT play Oregon are also planning to write checks to OSU to cover the large loss of revenue they will suffer AND write checks to the NIL to cover the additional amount that will have to be paid to recruits AND write checks to pay for what it will cost to get the replacement game televised AND write checks to the area businesses that support and buy advertising from Oregon State AND write checks to the university to subsidize admissions for the lost enrollments AND write checks to the employees who won't get paid as much, or even get to work at all at a game against a lower level program. And then write some more checks to cover other collateral losses.
Because that is EXACTLY what will be required to offset doing long term damage to the program, the university, and numerous others, that not being fiscally responsible will do.
The delta between the game revenue for playing knight school versus scheduling a different team, isn't going to be the make or break factor in OSU's athletic budget or the economy of Corvallis. If it is, there isn't a check big enough that you, I, or anybody not named Phil could write to OSU to fix that. But it isn't.
I agree, Chuck. Beavs could definitely regularly schedule teams that would result in a sellout. We don’t need the Quacks for that, and surrounding businesses could also benefit from fans who travel to watch the games.fans coming to
They don’t care about their team or the school, Andy. And I bet few of them who complain so loudly have given a dime to athletics, except for maybe a game ticket. They would love nothing more than to see miserable failure for the Beavers so they could cry “I told you so, and it’s all the Ducks fault!!”
That's the Ducks' great fear, isn't it? How this all looks to the greater state of Oregon? How this affects their beloved "brand"? Don't worry, that's already in cement.
Not sure how this is an "out" for UO. They had to sacrifice a home game to make it happen. Seems more like UO charity.
whoregon attempting to spray Febreze on the stank of the putrid optics of what they've done.
Because Oregon clearly doesn't care that much about the Civil War. If they did, they wouldn't have bolted from the Pac-12 for a Big 10 half-share.
Not at all. They need a quality home game in odd years where they only get 4 B1G home games, and this fills that need.
Exactly. The BigTen takes into consideration for non-conference scheduling the seasons there are either four, or five, home conference games. For example, in 2023 Iowa had 5, and played Iowa State on the road. In 2024, they have 4 and will host Iowa State.
It's not "charity." It's cashing in a home game in 2024 that they didn't need (they get 5 Big Ten games at home, plus an extra OOC home game because they are playing at Hawaii) in exchange for a home game in 2025 when they will only get 4 Big Ten games at home.
How is a game with OSU an
“Out” for Oregon? They had their schedule set already, didn’t need to do this, but made the effort for the sake of the rivalry and the state of Oregon.
With friends like the Ducks…
Finally some good news!
What? You can save $500 in 15 minutes?
I still don't like what happened to get us here. But I love that they worked hard to continue the series. I am grateful for that. #GoBeavs
No thanks.
The Ducks don't deserve the game.
Yawn
Lol... the typical dismissiveness of a spoiled brat fan base always makes me laugh.
He's culturally appropriating "The Real Rich's" vapid vernacular.
Lived in Iowa for a few years and witnessed the in-state CyHawk rivalry build-up. It reminded me of the Civil War. Clothing, sporting goods, and grocery stores were full of Iowa State and University of Iowa gear. Other stores had window fronts decorated. This was also a September game between two teams in different conferences. Neither team had an in-conference rival that generated similar enthusiasm. This is good for the State of Oregon.
That game was renewed after 43 years of not playing. 5 of the first 6 games after renewal were played at Iowa because Iowa State had a small stadium. All the fans thought Iowa would kick Iowa State's ass due to disparity in programs. Iowa State won 4 of the 6 including 3 at Iowa. The status of the Iowa St program at the time was like Group of 5. It wasn't Big8 vs Big10. It was little brother vs big brother, and little brother had the juice. Didn't take long for people to ask, "43 years? What the hell were we thinking."
The big difference is that both Iowa and Iowa State are still in P4 conferences.
You don't here much about the Iowa, Northern Iowa rivalry do you? How about the Ohio State/University of Ohio Rivalry? Arkansas/Arkansas State? There's a reason you don't.
Those schools don't play annually. They don't have the juice of an annual rivalry. But, for example, in 2009 Iowa hosted Northern Iowa the first game of the season. Iowa won by 1 point after blocking a field goal from Northern Iowa as time expired. That Iowa team escaped, and finished the season in the Orange Bowl. They've played 3 more times in the last 14 seasons, two were close. FCS N. Dakota State beat Iowa 23-21 at Iowa in 2016. Conference affiliation did't mean a whole lot.
Those rivalries don't exist, period, and there's a reason why. Sure you can find a single game every once in a blue moon. App St beating Michigan at the Big House, James Madison beating Nick Saban and Alabama in Tuscaloosa, but those are outliers, not the norm. Not to mention, all of what you just mentioned happened before the media dollar gaps got so HUGE, and before NIL and the transfer portal. If you understand any of this at all, you'll see how the circumstances are not the same as they were back then, and all the key players on those underdog rosters that upset or played the big boys tough, wouldn't have even been on those rosters in today's game. Those lower level schools can't pay them enough to keep them and the rules don't restrict players from leaving for better opportunities. So yeah, David slayed Goliath with a sling shot a few thousand years ago, but it hasn't happened since, and especially not since the invention of the automatic rifle.
True. Circumstances facing programs aren't the same. That's why USC & UCLA, then Colorado, then Arizona, then UW/UO, then Utah, ASU did what they did.
I get it, but it didn't have to be that way. Such shirt sightedness on our commissioners and school presidents, including OSU and WSU. John has already pointed out that with the LA schools, the Pac12 would have garnered at least $40 mill per school. SC and fICLA thought they were worth more than the others, which true. The market has proven that. So in the interest of fairness, each of the other 10 schools put $2 mil of their $40+ mil in the kitty. That's $20 mil right there. You give SC $15 mil of that and fUCLA the other $5 mil. Now, SC is getting $55 mil a year. Not quite the $60 mil the big 10 is getting but close enough that it's still a better deal when you add in the additional travel for all sports where the ducks went on record saying it will be an additional $10 mil a year in travel. So SC is actually getting more net than they're getting now in the big 10. fUCLA is getting $45 mil a year. Take the $10 mil in extra travel into consideration, and they're only off $5 mil. Not enough to walk and with SC happy, there is no partner for fUCLA to move with and the Cal board of regents would never approve them splitting from Cal.
That would leave the other 10 schools getting AT LEAST $38 mil a year. More than the ducks and UW are getting from the big 10, plus the $10 mil in reduced travel. That's the equivalent of $48 mil a year to them in the big 10. Again, at the best estimate that's still more than they'll make in the big 10.
As for the 4 corner schools, they're only getting $32 mil a year in the Big 12 and Furd and Cal are getting ZERO from the ACC. So the Pac 12 would've been the 3rd best funded P5 conference and every single school would've been getting more than they will be getting next year.
Before you say this is all hindsight and it's always 20/20, no its not. These figures were projected long before anyone left, by Bob Thompson who John has used as a source many times, and has been right on the money every time. So in reality, the schools that left created a problem that didn't have to be, and it all started with SC and fUCLA.
If pigs had wings they might resemlbe robins for some people I suppose. Can you imagine the uproar in Seattle this year if USC and UCLA had that much more coming from the Pac12 including a subsidy from UW? Thompson's projections were based on USC sticking around, and USC did NOT want to stick around regardless of money from the Pac12. How do we know that? Because they approached the BigTen in SECRET rather than ask the Pac12 for a subsidy. They wanted one decision path, not a choice.
And while we're flying your false flag, what would have kept Oregon, Washington, Utah from asking for their own tier....thereby demanding more money from OSU and WSU? That would be 5 hands into OSU's pocket.
I'm not interested in being Oregon's charity game once a year. If we can stay competitive fine but it's hard to see that happening. Oregon wants to be a midwest team so let them start a rivalry with Iowa or something.
As a MD native and Terrapins fan, the only positive out of this whole realignment disaster is that I'll be able to go to Eugene and see the Terps in person next year for the first time since they played OSU in a bowl game in SF (which I think was 2007).
It will likely be the only time that can occur given the voracious actions of the "elites" to eliminate what they consider imposters. I think you'll have a better chance to see your beloved "turtles" playing in Corvallis than Eugene in the coming years.
That's fine. Any chance I get to see them without having to leave the NW is good with me.
Oregon already has a rivalry game in the " big ten" against Washington for the season finale.
I’m happy. September be damned. So much fun. 😎
only fun if competitive. It won't be.
You’re not looking at the big picture. It’s not ALL about W-L. Each game is an experience to be enjoyed. The pre game routine, the walk to the stadium, entering to see the bright colors of the competing teams, the band, the dogs, the beer, the fans, the hope, the disappointment, the “maybe next year” or the “we got em today.” THAT’S what it’s about.
I guess you and I are in sports for different reasons. I go to a sports event to watch cheer my team to win. If my team is so uncompetitive that it can't possibly win, I will find something better to do with my weekend afternoon. I think I am in the massive majority on this. But you do you.
A fan is never realistic. Fan, short for fanatic. I enjoy winning as much as anyone. My experience with sports doesn’t revolve around national relevance. I grew up in the Bay Area. Been in Oregon since 1971. I’ve kept my childhood teams as favorites. I’ve seen the Giants, 49ers in the bottom of the standings and with the winners trophy. Along the way I’ve seen the Blazers suck and play as good as anyone. I became a Beaver fan in the early 80’s along with my association with OSU’s agriculture dept. Turf grass to be exact. I’ve watched them loose and win. I’m a fan. I’ll wait to see how the book progresses in the next chapter. All the while being a fan and cheering the young men and women of OSU. Have a nice day.
Love this perspective David!
There is a big difference between watching a given team, down on its luck, like the Blazers or even the 1980s vintage Beavers football team, and two teams at completely different levels of competition, like Oregon and OSU (next year and on). Whereas the Giants or Blazers are still in the "big leagues" and so receive the same opportunity to draft players (with an advantage picking first) and the same income as their opponents, this is not true for the Beavers. They have been relegated to a lower level of competition, with less ability to recruit top players (and they don't get to pick first like in the majors), with much less income and donations with which to attract players. They are in a lower level league going forward with much less media exposure, lower level bowl games and no real chance to compete for the national title. It is essentially like a minor league baseball team, even if Triple A, having to compete with a major league team. They have next to no chance (might beat the major league team 1 out of 100). So you do not make a compelling argument.
I’m not here to offer you a compelling argument. I’m a fan of the university and it’s athletic department. Maybe you should move your loyalty 45 miles south so you can be in your big show. We won’t miss ya. 👋
You really know it all don’t ya?
You overstate your assumption that you are in the majority. I feel you may be in the vocal minority. But neither of us can back that up so, I agree you do you. Always leaves to rake!
Nothing you say will turn these crybaby Beaver fans from cutting their nose off to spite their face. They are intent in trashing their own school by forecasting the death of Beaver football before their team even has a chance to attempt reorganization. It’s really sad that they are hoping their prophetic demise of their team comes to pass so they can scream “I told you so!”
Totally with ya. I started watching PAC 8 sports 70 years ago at a Stanford track meet. My dad was a polevalter back in the 20’s so he liked Track. I hate to see the PAC 12 die but it did. However I’ll be a fan of what’s next. No sense bitchen.
The Ducks and other schools have relegated the Beavs to third world status in college football revenue, thereby cutting them down at the knees. It won't be as competitive in the past, which is why the Ducks helped kill OSU's future to gain a monopoly on P5 now Power 4 football in the state for their own greed. The Beavers dug out of their Gary Anderson grave just to be killed again. This game will never be competitive again.
Respectfully disagree
Michael is absolutely correct in his prediction. Read the article that was linked on one of yesterday's posts about what is being proposed by the NCAA to loosen all restrictions on cash going to schools that will be the new autonomous group, i.e., the biggest, richest schools, so that they can directly pay players instead of going through NIL collectives to do it. This will free about 25-30 schools to conduct an even bigger arms race than currently exists. School on the edge or outside that circle will be forced to compete at a lesser level.
If the proposal which Charlie Baker is putting before the NCAA comes to fruition, OSU will be on the wrong end of that deal and the gap between haves and have nots will widen.
There is no longer a CW game, it's a sham, body bag, payday game and will be a humiliating reminder of the dirty deeds done dirt cheap by Phil's Wallet Inc.
Come live in reality with the rest of us someday.
The Beavs best hope is that realignment gets crazy again in a few years and they get back into a respectable conference that can provide what they need for recruits and revenue.
Probably because it won’t be played. That’s the only reason I see. If this abominable event keeps returning (like a stumbling zombie), your predictions about the perfection of the future Quackz against the Beavs will hit the Notyom 10, where they will lie ignored and impotent for decades.
Hope you are right that " this game will never be competitive"
None of that matters if one no longer gives a flying F, and I certainly don't.
I do not like green eggs and sham.
If you don't give an a flying F... why are you so addicted to posting here? Guess you may be trolling after all. Good luck... we don't give a a flying, running or swimming F about your obtuse comments. Check out the history of the Platypus Trophy to get the joke on you. Oh the irony.
Ya baby... AND, there is no reason OSU won't compete. All speculation based on $s
Uhhhhh. Dollars these days get you recruits, facilities, TV.
College football is ALL about money now. What planet do you live on?
The unbridled free for all that is NIL, and the transfer portal, are going to be reeled in and better regulated soon. That will help settle the waters a bit.
Now that's some actual speculation. As much as anyone would think that makes sense, it's not going to happen, at least in the way you might be thinking because what the NCAA is considering is basically un-tethering the largest and richest schools within the Power 4 conferences to collect as much money as they can to pay athletes directly, rather than through NIL collective (Booster) groups. They will be able to hire as many coaches as they can afford, and pay as much as they want to recruit and compensate players.
If a school sees that it will not be able to compete in an all out, no holds barred arms race, it's alternative will be to compete at a lower level.
OSU will be neither able or willing to spend at the levels required to be a part of the top tier the proposed system will create.
The world of CFB as we have known it is over.
Wow, not much optimism here Brian.
Give me a reason. What is your theory how OSU can claw its way back to national football relevance. Unless you can explain it to me, you should also be realistic
Claw our way 'back' to relevance? What cool aid are you drinking today? OSU would crush Liberty, who the vaunted Ducks drew in the lottery, but they drew a real bowl game versus Notre Dame. You give up too easily, there are many cards to be played yet and even if OSU has a down year or two because money once again dictates competitiveness in college 'professional' football, how do you know the script doesn't get flipped yet again. down the road? I self identify as an Optimistic Idealist. 😉 "While in the end the pessimist may be proven correct, the optimist has way more fun on the journey." - Daniel Reardon "A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." -Harry Truman Lighten up and have some fun - the future lies ahead!
I think that the Liberty matchup shows the blatant disrespect that the CFP has had, and continues to harbor, in deference to the SEC. After all, it is the CFP "Garden of Eden" from which all good things flow. This, as believed by ESPN and the media behemoth surrounding the SEC.
OSU COULD have crushed Liberty. That is past tense. All the players that made OSU a legit Top 20 team are leaving. They will not be replaced with 4 star and high 3 star athletes. They will be replaced with whatever the Beavers can get, which is low 3 and 2 stars, if not walk-ons, just like in the 1980s. OSU will only be able to recruit to a G5 level and until the dust settles and they have a conference and media contract, it will be a low level G5 program like New Mexico State. At that point, they will NOT be able to compete with Liberty, which went undefeated in a G5 conference this year. And I am fine with all of that. G5 teams have fun games with each other and at their G5 bowls. But no way, Utah State or Air Force can go toe to toe with Top 20 teams. If you don't get your hopes too high you can find pleasure in lower level football, as long as games are between equals. Rather than glibly say "there are many cards to be played yet", why don't you tell me what they are and how OSU can again recruit well enough to compete with the Top 20? I am very curious. But if you just flip that off because it sounds nice, then forget it. I live in the real world.
As seen through impaired vision. Loosen the screws and let the blood flow. Things will become much clearer.
Have you looked at Liberty’s 2023 schedule. Two wins over New Mexico State. Old Dominion, Florida International, Bowling Green?
Claw back? Did you see their ratings this year, constantly in the top 25? You are judging where you think they will be in the future before giving them even a chance. There’s a reason they’re playing ND in a bowl game. If they go in the toilet next year with a 1-11 season that’s one thing, but please give them some hope! This doomsday blabber is an insult to your Beavers.
Hopefully its back to November in 2025 and beyond and this is just a 1 year September thing.
Doubt it. Oregon will be knee deep in the Big Ten conference schdule come Nov. The Oregon State game will be a non conference match.
They're letting USC keep their November Notre Dame game. No reason the local rivalries of Oregon and Washington can't also be worked around.
“There’s nothing quite like it.”
Ehhh, no thanks. Not interested. Wish the Beavs would've stood on principle and told the Ducks to pound sand for their part in destroying the conference and screwing over OSU.
Both can happen, Joe!!
I'm only ok with this if we're allowed to call it the Civil War again.
My feeling is Pacific coast teams in the Big Ten are going to have their hands full just managing their league schedules and traveling across the United States. All this touchy-feely stuff about keeping local rivalries going for old times sake might be in the current realm of thinking. But as time goes on, seems to me that the Civil War and the Apple Cup will become shells of their previous selves. Two programs struggling to stay relevant and competitive shooting for an upset over their Big Ten brothers. That might be good for a diversion, but without those games counting in league play, they will become just another of each team's three "exhibition" games each season. It's a tragedy, I know, and as a Pacific coast football fan for the last 60+ years I'm sad that this is happening. But beyond the first year or two of these rivalries continuing, I can't see much beyond that.
In terms of football, it isn't that much travel. 4 East games at most, 3 a lot of years, with the PNW and California games on the schedule.
And flying to Iowa or Minnesota isn't that different from Utah or Colorado. An extra half hour to 45 minutes in the air.
Travel-wise, the time change is the real killer.
And both with band box and not B1G stadiums.