When No. 2 Ohio State takes the field in Eugene for Saturday’s showdown with No. 3 Oregon, it will mark yet another potential turning point for a Ducks program that has had its fair share of “arrival” moments throughout the 21st century.
In terms of history, the game itself has already been etched into the record books as the first-ever matchup between top-three teams in Autzen Stadium. Previously, there had only been one matchup between teams ranked in the top six, but more on that 2007 game against Arizona State later.
The Buckeyes and the Ducks both entered the 2024 season as top-four teams in the rankings and the two most popular picks to win the newly expanded Big Ten. The expectation was that the chaotic conference title race in the new-look, 18-team league would pivot on the result of this Oct. 12 showdown between national title contenders. Now, we have arrived at the potentially historic moment with both teams having taken care of business against their early season opponents.
This game serves as an opportunity for Oregon, a truly 21st century program, to make another statement to the college football world at large. Because while we have gotten used to seeing Oregon on these massive stages, the Ducks don’t always play the role of protagonist and rarely get to be college football’s “main character.” But maybe, against this juggernaut Buckeyes roster, Oregon is ready to meet the moment as college football’s conquering superhero.
A 21st century power
The seeds for Oregon’s modern success began with Rich Brooks, then at the end of a 17-year run as the Ducks head coach, handing the reins of the program to Mike Bellotti after winning a Pac-10 title in 1994. In the process of becoming the winningest coach in Oregon football…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/oregon-vs-ohio-state-ducks-face-latest-opportunity-to-break-through-as-college-footballs-main-character/
Author : Chip Patterson
Publish date : 2024-10-11 17:10:40
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