Oregon Ducks are doing what they can to keep their biggest rivalry alive for years to come after conference realignment

Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes has had a tall task in the wake of Oregon State's uncertainty in the Pac-12. The conference is a shell of its former self, and is in the process of welcoming new schools like Boise State and San Diego State. He was asked about what it will take for the tradition with Oregon to continue in an article in The Oregonian.

"We’ve got to find and finalize the dates. We’re not there yet, but we think we have a path forward. It hasn’t been a lack of interest from myself or [Oregon athletic director] Rob [Mullens]. It’s been really clarifying where the heck our futures are, and what the schedules look like.”

It seems that it simply comes down to scheduling. Oregon State's schedule for 2026 is still unknown, with the conference fully in flux. Both schools have previous commitments for other non-conference matchups in 2026, making this quite a challenge. 

“We both have the will to get this done. It’s just a matter of clearing the path. We’re making progress on that,” Barnes said.

Oregon State has 2026 matchups with Texas tech and Houston, and Oregon has a full 2026 schedule that includes non-conference meetings with Boise State, Oklahoma State, and Portland State. One of those matchups would need to be moved to create an opening to continue the Oregon State rivalry. 

For fans of both schools, the tradition of the game being played on Thanksgiving weekend, as it was for years, is gone. In order to keep the rivalry alive, both schools will clearly have to be committed and flexible to making it happen wherever they can.