If you want to understand why people in the Pacific Northwest can’t stand each other for one week in November, don’t look at a map. Look at the 1948 Rose Bowl vote. Or look at "The Pick." Better yet, just look at the faces of the fans at Husky Stadium this past November when Oregon’s Malik Benson silenced 70,000 people with a 64-yard sprint to the end zone.
The Washington Oregon football game isn't just another conference matchup. Honestly, it’s a grudge match that has survived the death of the Pac-12 and found a way to become even more high-stakes in the Big Ten.
What Really Happened in the 2025 Matchup
Everyone expected a dogfight when the Ducks rolled into Seattle on November 29, 2025. Oregon was ranked No. 5 in the country, looking to lock up a College Football Playoff spot. Washington, under second-year coach Jedd Fisch, was sitting at a respectable 8-3, desperate to play spoiler.
The game was ugly for a while. It was rainy, which is basically a requirement for this rivalry. Washington’s defense, led by a gritty secondary, actually kept Dante Moore in check for three quarters. When Demond Williams Jr. hit Denzel Boston for a touchdown to make it 19-14 in the fourth, you could feel the stadium shaking.
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Then, the air went out.
Dante Moore found Benson. Benson split two defenders. 26-14. Game over.
It was Oregon’s 12th straight true road win under Dan Lanning. That’s a wild stat if you think about how hard it is to win on the road in college football. For Washington fans, it was a bitter pill. They still lead the all-time series 63-50-5, but the Ducks have taken the last two.
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The History Nobody Talks About
Most people know about "The Pick" in 1994. Kenny Wheaton’s 97-yard interception return basically birthed the modern Oregon program. Before that play, Washington dominated. After it? The Ducks became a national brand.
But the real "original sin" of this rivalry goes back to 1948. Both teams were great. Both wanted the Rose Bowl. Back then, the teams voted on who got to go. Washington didn’t just vote against Oregon; they supposedly lobbied other schools like Montana to vote against them too. Oregon stayed home. They didn't forget.
Why the Big Ten Transition Changed Everything
Moving to the Big Ten was supposed to dilute these old West Coast rivalries. It did the opposite. Now, instead of playing for a Rose Bowl berth, these teams are playing for seeding in a 12-team playoff.
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The 2024 game in Eugene was a blowout (49-21 Oregon), but the 2025 game showed that the gap is closing. Jedd Fisch has the Huskies recruiting at a high level again after the Kalen DeBoer era ended with that National Championship run.
Key Players Who Defined the Last Few Years
- Dante Moore (Oregon): The UCLA transfer finally looked like the five-star he was touted to be. His poise in the 2025 game was the difference.
- Demond Williams Jr. (Washington): He’s fast. Kinda reminds people of a young Kyler Murray. He took 10 sacks against Oregon in 2024 but only a couple in 2025. Progression is real.
- Malik Benson (Oregon): If you give him an inch, he's gone. That 64-yard touchdown in Seattle is going to be on Ducks highlight reels for a decade.
- Denzel Boston (Washington): The focal point of the Huskies' passing game. Even when he’s double-covered, he finds a way to come down with the ball.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Rivalry
People think it’s about the uniforms or the Nike money. Sure, that's a part of it. But it’s actually about identity. Seattle views itself as the "big city" powerhouse with the 1991 National Championship and the history. Eugene is the "innovator," the school that changed how college football looks and feels.
There’s also a weird trend with the home-field advantage. You’d think Husky Stadium—the loudest stadium in the country when it's rocking—would be an automatic win. But Oregon has won several of their last trips to Montlake. Conversely, Washington’s 70-21 win in 2016 happened at Autzen Stadium. This rivalry loves to defy logic.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're planning to attend or follow the next Washington Oregon football game, keep these factors in mind:
- Watch the Trenches: Oregon’s offensive line has been elite under Dan Lanning. Washington’s ability to recruit massive interior linemen is the only way they’ll flip the script in 2026.
- The "Freshman" Factor: Oregon played over 30 freshmen in 2025. They are younger than you think, which means they’ll be even more experienced by the time next year’s game rolls around.
- Weather Matters, But Not How You Think: Everyone assumes rain helps the underdog. In this series, the team with the better run game usually wins in the mud. Oregon's rushing attack averaged over 6 yards a carry in 2025.
- The Schedule Spot: Always check who these teams play the week before. In the Big Ten, a physical game against Michigan or Ohio State seven days prior can leave a team depleted for the rivalry.
The rivalry is currently leaning toward Eugene, but in this series, the pendulum always swings back eventually. Keep an eye on the 2026 recruiting classes; that’s where the next "Pick" or "Point" will come from.