The Oregon Ducks’ 2023 regular season was a virtual copy of USC’s 2022 regular season in Pac-12 football. The only aspect of these two seasons which was different: the specific opponent which ruined everything.
Utah was the nemesis for USC last year. Washington was the nemesis for Oregon this year. However, everything else was fundamentally the same: 2022 USC failed to beat only one team in its regular season. 2023 Oregon failed to beat only one team in its regular season. However, that one team was a real pain in the neck.
That one team — 2022 Utah — beat 2022 USC twice.
That one team — 2023 Washington — beat 2023 Oregon twice.
In 2022, Utah beat USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game and prevented the Trojans from making the College Football Playoff.
In 2023, Washington beat Oregon in the Pac-12 Championship Game and prevented the Ducks from making the College Football Playoff.
There is more to be said about this, and a lot of reactions to process. Here’s a taste of the highly emotional aftermath to Oregon’s loss against Washington in Las Vegas on Friday night: