Summary:
- Beavers fans pledge loyalty amidst Pac-12 teams leaving.
- The departure of University of Oregon and Washington leaves four schools in Pac 12.
- Emotional impact on fans due to losing rivalries and traditions.
- Some fans speculate that other teams are leaving due to fear of Oregon State's improvement.
- Washington State plans to stay in the Pac 12 for now.
- Coaches and teams focus on the upcoming season despite the conference changes.
The new research stadium sits empty ahead of a season full of promise and a broken conference. It's a strange state to be in, an emotional tug of war, and for fans, not a civil one. The University of Oregon jumped ship Friday, so did Washington. For those counting, that leaves just four schools left in the Pac 12. Oregon State is one of them. Not super thrilled about it.
Embracing Tradition and Rivalries
I liked our conference. Thought it was competitive. We had some good games and good rivalries for sure. None more storied than the rivalry game between the ducks and beavers, a tradition dating back to 1894. I think there's more important things in life than just money like tradition, rivalries, and something that we can always count on as a state as the fabric of who we are as Oregon. But now who exactly are we? The Pac four, I guess. Keep it simple.An Identity Crisis
It's an identity crisis, but fans are managing. Walk me through your emotions. We've always been Beaver fans. We haven't always been Pac 12 fans, so we'll always be here to root on the beavers no matter what conference we're in on the surface. It appears the force driving teams out of the Pac 12 is money here in Corvallis. Some beaver's fans are floating another theory. I guess other teams are scared; they see us getting good, so they don't want to be around them or ha ha ha.Washington State Staying Put
Washington state is sticking around, at least for now. I think it hits home on Friday. Cougars football coach Jake Dickert talked about losing rivalry games in the northwest, including the apple cup. But at the end of the day, you know what's it worth? I understand business. You know, I understand change. Everyone's got to change and we got to adapt and watch you will find its way we have for 100 some years. Beaver's coach Jonathan Smith is focusing on what's in front of him.Staying Focused Amid the Chaos
I just echo what we talked about as a team last night. What we have in front of us is certain, and these guys have built this program and worked so hard to allow this to be a huge distraction. We're not gonna. We're not gonna do it. This is the state of division one football. The Colorado leave as well. Yeah, we know you're scared, Dion Sanders.We know you're scared. Yeah. In Corvallis, Catherine Cook KGW news.