When you talk to most people who are enthusiastic about college football, they will tell you about the historic rivalries between neighboring schools.
Sometimes the rivalry is more about the success each time has achieved over the years, while the other rivalries are all about proximity. Teams that are in nearby cities are likely to form rivalries, as their fans battle over who has the superior roster.
Rivalries such as Michigan and Ohio State, Alabama and Auburn, or Oklahoma and Texas are talked about all the time. These rivalries are known throughout the country, while they are featured on mainstream sports news shows.
Another rivalry that is equally intense, but does not always get the same level of press, is the Oregon and Washington rivalry.
Oregon vs. Washington
If we look back at the results of college football teams since the 1990s, we see that Washington and Oregon have won a total of 16 Pac-12 Championships between them. They have three of the last five trophies and an incredible five of the last seven.
Their stranglehold on the competition is one that impresses a lot of pundits and fans, as they are the only two schools from the Pac-12 that have ever made it to the College Football Playoff.
Such success means these teams are often battling against each other during the business end of the college football season. As a fan, you know that if Oregon does not win, then it is likely that Washington sports fans will be jubilant in that given year.
Finding the Best College Football Coaches
Even though college football is mostly about ensuring that players are ready to play in the big league, which is the NFL, there is so much competition and money involved in the NCAA.
Teams know that in order to continue selling seats in stadiums for matches and showing off their school as being attractive to potential recruits, they must have top tier coaches.
While they are unlikely to recruit any coaches from the NFL, unless they are one of the very best American football programs at the collegiate level, they can get some very good college and high school coaches to join.
Programs such as Washington and Oregon must work hard to get the very best coaches into their college. That will not only give them legitimacy within the league, but it also ensures their players are developing and performing in the best possible way.
The question remains whether a coach would go to Oregon or Washington if they had a choice?
Oregon or Washington: Where Would a Coach Go?
There are several reasons why a coach is more likely to choose Washington as their next job, even if Oregon is a very good team in a great area.
Washington is a state that has more attractive cities, with Seattle being the main reason why someone may move to that state. Living in or near Seattle has so many perks, with the lifestyle being a lot more exciting than anything you would find in Oregon.
Another issue for Oregon is that Washington has a longer history of being ambitious in attracting talent. Even though Oregon has stepped up their recruitment in recent years, Washington still has a historic reputation in that respect.
Another win for the University of Washington is the general excellence of its academic programs. Someone can go to Oregon and have a very good career, depending on how they perform in classes. Those who attend Washington, however, are likely to have more advantages in their professional lives in the coming years.
Coaches have to think about so many factors when they are choosing their next job. Oregon and Washington are two very exciting programs that have a reputation for wanting to win and sending kids to the NFL. If a coach has an offer from both teams, Washington may still be the more attractive program to join.
Understanding College Football in the USA
One of the most confusing aspects of American sports culture, for those who do not grow up in the country, is college football. The truth is that more Americans are passionate about their college team, as compared to the professional team that happens to be situated in their city.
College teams are for life, as they are a part of the community and culture of a city or state. Professional teams in America often move around from one city to another, especially if they are unsuccessful for a number of years. That movement can lead to a lack of organic and passionate support wherever they are playing.
Betting on College Football Games
If you are a college football enthusiast, you should be betting on games consistently. There are states in the USA where sports betting is now legal. Even if you happen to live in an illegal state, you can sign up for a sports book using a VPN and various online payment portals.
Betting on college sports is about so much more than who wins the game. There are various in-game scenarios where you can place a bet. Those are often easier to predict and can help you win big money, even if the result does not go the way you expected.
Whether you are a die hard fan of Oregon, Washington or another Pac-12 team, finding a quality sports book may be the best way for you to elevate your experience of supporting the team. Now you have an even deeper interest in who wins a given matchup.
