It’s a whole new world in the Big Ten once we get to the 2024 season.
That was already going to be the case with the additions of USC and UCLA. Now, add Oregon and Washington to the party. The Ducks and Huskies will also join as full league members beginning on Aug. 2, 2024.
The already-strong Big Ten just got that much more daunting.
Dating back to the 2000 season, Oregon, Washington and USC have combined for 19 Pac-12 championships. The Ducks and Trojans have each captured eight conference crowns in that time span, while the Huskies boast three.
Oregon and Washington have also tracked down the Pac-12’s only two appearances in the College Football Playoff. The Ducks went in the 2014 season, routing Florida State, 59-20, before falling to Ohio State, 42-20. Washington’s appearance came in the 2016 season when the Huskies fell to Alabama, 24-7, in the Peach Bowl.
UCLA is also on a recent uptick. After a slow start under head coach Chip Kelly, the Bruins have posted 8-4 and 9-4 overall records over the last two seasons.
In short, yes, the Big Ten is getting better and more challenging. But, who doesn’t love a good challenge?
Speaking of Chip Kelly, he was a big part of building the Ducks into the brand they are today. Serving as the Ducks’ head coach from 2009-12, Kelly turned Oregon into a national power. During those seasons and in the years since, the Ducks have become synonymous with high-flying, explosive offenses.
They’ve also won a ton of football games. It’s one of the reasons why Iowa fans should be excited to see the black and gold square off against the Ducks going forward.
Our colleagues at Ducks Wire broke down the upcoming Big Ten matchups they are most excited to see Oregon take part in. The Iowa Hawkeyes check in at a very respectable No. 5 on Ducks Wire’s pecking order.
Here’s what Ducks Wire managing editor Zachary Neel had to say about the upcoming matchups with Iowa:
Oregon may not have a long and storied history against Iowa, but the contrasting styles — Iowa’s ground-and-pound, defensive-heavy nature vs. Oregon’s high-flying offense and points-abundant nature — make for a game that I can’t wait to see. – Neel, Ducks Wire.
The contrast of styles will certainly be fun to watch. Iowa boasts one of the nation’s best defenses, while Oregon historically has one of the country’s finest offensive units.
The Ducks owned the nation’s No. 6 total offense and No. 10 scoring offense last season. Meanwhile, Iowa ranked second nationally in both scoring and total defense.
Hey, the style makes the fight, right?
The rest of Neel’s top five matchups he can’t wait to see Oregon play in the new-look Big Ten goes as follows: No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 Penn State, No. 3 Ohio State and No. 4 Wisconsin.
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