How conference realignment will affect Oregon, Washington football rivalries
Another historic moment in college football realignment has come as the Big Ten voted unanimously to add Oregon and Washington as members of the conference starting in the summer of 2024 and for the foreseeable future. That move leaves major questions for fans to have answered before it all goes down, including the future of each school's historic football rivalries.
For their part, officials from both Washington and Oregon said they will continue to play their rivals, Washington State and Oregon State, respectively, in football and all other sports.
"Even with this move, we remain committed to the Apple Cup and to competing with WSU in all of our sports," Washington president Ana Mari Cauce said.
Her counterpart at Oregon responded in kind.
"In coming years, the UO will prioritize the long-held traditions, including competition across all sports with Oregon State University," the school said in a statement. "The alliance puts UO student-athletes on a national stage."
Oregon and Oregon State have played each other on a regular basis dating back to 1894 in the fifth-most played football rivalry in FBS history. Oregon has won 12 of the last 15 in the series, but OSU has taken two of the last three, including last season, and the Ducks lead overall, 67-49-10.
Washington and Washington State have staged the annual Apple Cup since 1900, with the Huskies leading the series, 75-33-6, including 11 of the last 13 games.
And, judging by the leadership at the Big Ten-bound schools, these games should be played every year going forward, as well.
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