The University of Oregon’s football team will have their last game of the regular season in Autzen Stadium this weekend. They will play their longtime rival the University of Washington Huskies on Saturday afternoon.
Fans pack Autzen Stadium in Eugene on Oct. 25, 2024, as the #1-ranked Oregon Ducks played University of Illinois. Oregon went on to win the game, 38-9, and retain the top ranking in the country.
Julia Boboc / OPB
The Ducks are an unparalleled 11-0 in their first season as a member of the Big Ten conference, with wins against teams with national pedigrees, like the Ohio State University Buckeyes and the University of Michigan Wolverines.
It’s also the first season University of Washington has played in the Big Ten, where the Huskies have managed a 4-4 record in the new conference, and 6-5 overall.
The rivalry between the Ducks and the Huskies has been strong for more than a century, and continues with both teams in the Big Ten.
No one knows the rivalry better than Ducks defensive back, Jabbar Muhammad, who played for Washington in 2023 before transferring to Oregon.
“It’s a really fierce rivalry,” Muhammad told reporters after practice on Tuesday. “The fans don’t like each other. I remember getting egged on the bus,” he added, referencing his season with Washington.
But Muhammad won’t be getting egged this year, as a key player on the home team. For years, Autzen Stadium has become appreciated as one of the loudest stadiums in the country, and the hype got even bigger after the matchup with Ohio State in October.
Oregon offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius (65) defends during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Salt Lake City.
Rick Bowmer / AP
“The stadium is like a 12th player on the field,” offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius said. This game will mark Cornelius’ last game in Autzen as his senior season comes to an end. But for his last home game, he said, “there’s no other place I’d rather play than Autzen Stadium.”
This weekend marks a highly anticipated rematch, after last season’s Pac-12 championship game, a 34-31 Huskies win, following a crushing fourth quarter. The last Pac-12 championship game marked the third Ducks’ loss in a row against the Huskies.
Muhammad said he’s trying to treat this game like any other, despite competing with his former teammates. In practice, the team has been trying to keep it light.
“We got the music out there playing, everybody’s dancing in 20-degree weather,” he said. “I think it’s pretty cool to go out there and just have fun at practice. I don’t think a lot of teams do that.”
Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa (2) in action as Oregon played Purdue in an NCAA college football game in West Lafayette, Ind., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.
AJ Mast / AP
But not everyone can treat this game like the rest. For Ducks inside linebacker, Jeffrey Bassa, the last three losses against the Huskies really sting – especially for players like him, who played for the Ducks the last three years. Bassa’s last memory of a win against Washington was his freshman year.
“You always feel that sour taste in the back of your mouth,” he said. “We gotta take care of business.”
The Ducks have taken care of business across the country this season, but now, the pressure is on. It’s not just about beating the Huskies – it’s about confirming their status as the best team in the nation before they play in their first Big Ten Championship Game. Oregon has its eyes on what could be an even bigger prize, as the NCAA puts together its first-ever 12-team national playoff.
