You’d think a game between a massive state school in Corvallis and a private Catholic university on a bluff in North Portland would be a total blowout every time. On paper, it usually looks that way. But if you’ve actually sat in the Chiles Center or squeezed into Gill Coliseum lately, you know the vibe is way more intense than the box scores suggest.
The whole portland vs oregon state thing has changed. It's not just a "little brother" situation anymore. Honestly, with the Pac-12 basically imploding and Oregon State spending the last couple of seasons as an affiliate member of the West Coast Conference (WCC), these two are seeing a lot more of each other. They aren't just neighbors; they’re conference rivals now, at least for the time being.
The Night the Pilots Shocked the Beavs
Let’s talk about January 10, 2026. This wasn't just another game. The Portland Pilots went into Corvallis and absolutely stunned the Beavers with an 82-76 win. C. Williams was basically a cheat code that night, dropping 23 points and grabbing 7 boards.
Oregon State fans were shell-shocked. They expect to win these games. They’re the "Power Five" (or "Power Two" depending on who you ask this year) program. But the Pilots played with a chip on their shoulder that you just can't coach. They shot the lights out in the second half, and every time the Beavers tried to make a run, a guy like M. Ballew or J. Lake would hit a dagger from the corner.
It’s these kinds of games that make this matchup so spicy. It’s the classic underdog story, but the underdog has teeth.
Recent Men's Basketball Results
- Jan 10, 2026: Portland 82, Oregon State 76 (Away)
- Feb 13, 2025: Portland 84, Oregon State 72 (Home)
- Dec 30, 2024: Oregon State 89, Portland 79 (Home)
Notice a pattern? The Pilots have actually taken two out of the last three. That’s not a fluke. It’s a shift in the hierarchy of Oregon hoops.
Soccer is Where it Really Gets Wild
If you want to see where these schools truly hate—okay, "intensely dislike"—each other, look at the pitch. On October 15, 2025, the No. 4 ranked Portland Pilots traveled to face No. 23 Oregon State.
It was a physical, grinding 1-1 draw. Anton Hjalmarsson scored a absolute rocket in the 29th minute for the Pilots, canceling out an early goal by OSU’s Fran Cortijo. This tie was huge because it broke a 37-year-old program record for Portland, marking 22 straight games unbeaten.
Soccer in the Northwest is different. It’s rainy, it’s loud, and the quality of play is honestly higher than most professional leagues in other parts of the world. The Pilots have historically been the "soccer school," but Oregon State has invested heavily in their program over the last decade. Now, every time they meet, it feels like a national championship game.
The Baseball Disparity
Now, baseball is a different story. Oregon State is a juggernaut. Period.
They’ve got the national titles, the legendary Goss Stadium, and a pipeline to the MLB that most schools would kill for. When Portland vs Oregon State happens on the diamond, it’s usually the Beavers' game to lose.
Take the May 13, 2025 matchup. Portland actually kept it close, losing 5-3. Zach Toglia hit a moonshot for the Pilots that briefly gave them hope, but the Beavers' depth is just too much. They play a brand of "Beaver Ball" that is suffocating. They don't beat themselves. They wait for you to walk a guy or miss a cutoff, and then they pounce.
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Portland’s record against OSU in baseball is... well, it’s rough. We’re talking 8 wins to 57 losses all-time. But even then, the Pilots managed to snap a massive losing streak back in 2023, proving that on any given Tuesday in the spring, anything can happen.
Why This Rivalry is Moving Into a New Era
The landscape of college sports is a mess right now. With the Pac-12's core schools scattering to the Big Ten and Big 12, Oregon State has had to get creative. Joining the WCC as an affiliate member for sports like basketball and soccer has brought them into Portland’s backyard.
This isn't just about scheduling anymore. It’s about recruiting. If you’re a high school kid in Beaverton or Lake Oswego, you’re looking at both these schools. Suddenly, the gap between the "big state school" and the "private school in the city" feels a lot smaller.
"In some ways, our league just got a lot tougher," Portland women’s basketball coach Michael Meek said when the move was announced.
He wasn't kidding. The WCC is a gauntlet now.
What to Watch For Next
- The Transfer Portal: Watch how many kids jump between these two schools. It’s happening more than you think.
- Venue Atmosphere: If the Pilots keep winning, the Chiles Center is going to become a house of horrors for the Beavers.
- The Pac-12 Rebuild: In 2026, the Pac-12 is scheduled to expand again. Will Oregon State stay "local" with their rivalries, or will they pull away again?
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning on catching the next game, don't sleep on the mid-week matchups. Everyone looks for the Saturday night showdowns, but the Tuesday night baseball games in Corvallis or the Thursday night basketball games in Portland are where the real drama happens.
Pro-tip for Pilots fans: Buy your tickets early. Since OSU joined the WCC, the "Beaver Nation" crowd travels well, and they will absolutely take over your arena if you let them.
Pro-tip for Beavers fans: Don't overlook the Pilots’ soccer team. Seriously. Merlo Field is one of the most hostile environments in college sports, and the Pilots play a style of possession-heavy soccer that can make even the best teams look silly.
The "Civil War" might get all the headlines, but the battle for the I-5 corridor between Portland and Oregon State is where the real grit of Oregon sports lives.
Keep an eye on the upcoming spring schedules for baseball and track. While the Beavers have the historical edge, the Pilots have proven they are no longer just a homecoming opponent. They are a problem.
Check the official athletics sites at portlandpilots.com and osubeavers.com for the most current ticket availability and game times as the 2026 season continues.