Sports Talk: Battle Royale

My heart is spread all over the west coast these days. In my recent move from So Cal to Oregon, I’ve been informed that a choice must be made- to cheer for Oregon or OSU.

As a long time USC fan, my heart still resides in So Cal. Apparently though, in college football, I can keep one hand on my home team as long as I reach out with the other hand and take up residence in either Oregon or OSU.

I was a bit worried when getting the “you must choose” lecture because although I am long time fan of USC, my “home” team will always hold a special place in my heart as Fresno State. As it turns out, I can cheer on teams from multiple divisions, so I’m in the clear on that one.

I have a reassuring one year window to make my decision between Oregon and OSU. So I thought I would give it the consideration it is due. After all, college football is a huge part of my existence. I can’t just make a flippant call and move on with life.

Team Match Up…

University: University of Oregon (O)
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Colors: Green and Yellow
Mascot: Ducks

University: Oregon State University (OSU)
Location: Portland, Oregon
Colors: Orange and Black
Mascot: Beavers

The 2008 Pac-10…

In the 2008 Pac-10 standings, Oregon was 7-2 in conference and 10-3 overall. They lost to Boise St., USC, and Cal. OSU was also 7-2 in conference but 9-4 overall. They lost to Stanford, Penn St., Utah and Oregon.

Now, my natural instincts say “OSU lost to Oregon, so I should probably go with the big green O.” No one wants to be a loser.

But something else in the ’08 analysis caught my attention; OSU beat USC (8-1 conference, 12-1 overall). USC’s only loss in the Pac-10 was to OSU. I don’t know if you caught those stats, but USC was 12-1. That “1” stands for OSU, my friends. Any team that can duke it out with the number one team in the Pac-10 and win, automatically catches my eye… and maybe, just maybe, my heart.

On another note, both Oregon teams beat UCLA. That fact is just about as relevant as UCLA is to the Pac-10, so I’ll throw that bit of information out and call it a wash.

2009 Schedule Analysis…

Oregon plays the major California teams at home (USC and Cal), while OSU plays the same teams on the road. USC is scheduled to play Oregon and OSU back to back; OSU will play in LA on October 24 and Oregon will play at home on October 31.

Clearly Oregon has the benefit of playing the big dog teams on their home grounds. Will it help? Well, last season they played both USC and Cal on the road and lost. Maybe they’ll turn it around this season.

It will be tougher, no doubt, for OSU to play USC and Cal on the road this season. They scored those wins at home in 08. I guess we will find out just how much benefit comes from the home court advantage.

Other Pending Factors…

There is the obvious factor of proximity. I live closer to Eugene than I do to Portland. If I wanted to go for a local team, the Ducks would be it.

I would be a liar if I said that color doesn’t matter. Orange and Black or Green and Yellow? Maybe I should try on each jersey and see which is more complimentary. Too much? Hey, I don’t take this issue lightly. I’ll be wearing these colors for the rest of my life. I don’t want to be cheering for a losing team and be wearing hideous colors.

Of course I have to ask… Beavers or Ducks? Both pretty much make me want to run in the opposite direction while laughing hysterically.

The Question Remains…

While I might have already begun leaning in a particular direction, I am open to any valuable information one might desire to share with me that might shed light on which team should win my newly Oregonian heart.