Rivalry weekend in September: Pacific Northwest foes clash

The landscape of college football has shifted significantly with conference realignment and playoff expansion, leading to changes in traditional rivalries. The Huskies and Ducks have joined the Big Ten, while the Beavers and Cougars are now part of the Pac-12. This season, these teams are facing off earlier than usual, as rivalries that once concluded the regular season are now taking place in September. The matchups include No. 9 Oregon against Oregon State and Washington State visiting Washington, both of which are expected to be competitive games. In addition to these Pacific Northwest rivalries, other notable matchups are occurring across the country. Cincinnati is set to face Miami (Ohio) in a historic rivalry dating back to 1888, while Notre Dame and Purdue will meet for only the second time since 2014 due to scheduling conflicts with the Atlantic Coast Conference. These games highlight the evolving nature of college football rivalries in the context of conference realignment. The current season has seen teams like Oregon starting strong, despite a rocky beginning against Idaho and Boise State. Washington, under new coach Jedd Fisch, is also showing promise after significant roster changes. Meanwhile, other teams like Kansas State and Oklahoma are maintaining their competitive edge in their respective matchups. As the season progresses, fans and teams alike are adjusting to the new dynamics of college football, with early-season rivalries setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting and unpredictable year ahead.