While popular and somewhat rewarding for Pac-12 rivals to watch their nemesis go down in flames, it behooves each and every “hater” for the Ducks to reign supreme in this season’s “Grand Daddy” of bowls.
Like sands through the hourglass, so are not the days of our lives, but rather the sour grapes whose dependability I could set my watch by shortly following an Oregon invitation to a BCS bowl game. One needn’t go any further than everyone’s favorite Oregon State or University of Washington message board to find a handful of threads wishing nothing but the worst for everything Oregon, nothing but the best for whomever they may be playing, and everything in-between for the myriad of games being played before, during and after the upcoming January 2nd contest in Pasadena. That’s right, it’s the most wonderful time of the year: The weeks leading-up to a game which rivals of the “O” find a temporary object of their affection in lieu of their genuine artifact’s ability to stake their own claim. I know, them sound like fightin’ words, but it’s not my intent to rile the three-quarters of the Pacific Northwest not wearing green and yellow, but rather to talk some sense to the aforementioned majority regarding their attitude towards their conference brethren.
See, you want Oregon to win. You need Oregon to win.
If you’re truly a fan, then you understand that your fandom revolves around the irrational thought that “your” team will eventually get to where Oregon is and has been for the majority of the last handful of years. And that’s fine; for if not for such a level of hope everyone outside of the top-tier of American sport would have little if anything keeping them engaged. Sports are cyclical: What goes up, will eventually come down, and while some’s reign at the top is inherently longer than most, every dog has his day and Oregon’s success now will make Oregon State’s, Washington’s and anyone else’s road to a BCS Title that much easier.
Believe it or not, reputation plays a significant role in a team’s candidacy for the BCS title. If you don’t believe me, ask Oklahoma State. Alabama is in this year’s championship game primarily due to an outstanding 2011 campaign, but if not for recent success coupled with nearly a decade of SEC dominance the Crimson Tide would be stating their case for a shot at LSU, while the Cowboys of Oklahoma State would be game-planning for a shot at the crystal football. It’s Oregon’s responsibility to maintain the Pac-12’s reputation as a legitimate title contender by representing the conference in the best possible light. If the Ducks are routed – like many of those in purple or orange would like – it diminishes future accomplishments by those in a similar position. In 2004, USC was chosen to play Oklahoma in the BCS Championship game over an equally undefeated Auburn team. Why you may ask? Primarily due to undeniable factors, but unquestionably aided by their previous years’ success.
Past history matters, and Oregon’s performance during this run of national prominence will play a direct role in both theirs and other’s campaign towards future success. Success that may rely on the outcome of this year’s Rose Bowl.
I know that by asking people to put aside their disdain for the enemy, I’m asking them to further sacrifice. They’ve already likely suffered through a season better forgotten and Oregon’s success feels like salt in the wound, but in-order to reap any rewards from the suffrage that’s been 2011, one has to see the forest through the green and yellow trees. And that means wishing the Ducks well.
It’s become vogue to belittle Oregon’s accomplishments the last two years, primarily due to their inability to close the deal. But contrary to popular rhetoric, they’ve held their own in the court of public opinion. Losing a closely fought battle to a formidable Ohio State team and falling 3-points short of a National Title, on a last second field goal, to an SEC opponent, led by the Heisman Trophy winner is nothing to shake a stick at. The Ducks have done well, but now it’s time to do better. Beating Wisconsin will quiet the emerging dialogue that Oregon “can’t win the big one,” and can flip the script in favor of them and their conference. Did you hear that, rival fan? AND THEIR CONFERENCE!
Oregon needs to win this game and you need to root for them to do so. Whether you bleed green, orange, purple or any other color represented in the Pac-12 Conference, a Duck victory will serve your purpose. Maybe not in the present or even in the immediate future, but somewhere, sometime you’re going to need Oregon’s help, and their success now might be just the help you need later.
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