There’s no Border War with Washington, as the Rivalry is Dead

[FishDuck Article]

Never has a war been so one sided, never has a rivalry been so lopsided. Once heralded as an annual “border war” between Oregon and Washington, the Ducks vs. Dubs annual game has now turned into a mockery of what was a once a classic rivalry. The war is officially over, the rivalry is officially dead. As an Oregon born ...

 

Read the full article here...

[Just Ducky]

There are many reasons to hate on Washington. 

 

#1 Having Chicken Hawk games that are forced down our throats for years.

 

#2 Having to drive thru Seattle during rush hour traffic.

 

#3 The Sonics. I know they are gone but the sour taste is still in my mouth.

 

#4 The attitude of Husky fans.

 

#5 Lakes disrespect for our Oregon Students.

 

#6 The look on Mario’s face as he shook the cowards hand after the game.

 

Just to name a few.

 

 So NO the rivalry will be there forever and ever. Amen.

[woundedknees]

Many of you are too young to remember the taste of defeat suffered at the hands of pre-1994 be-Fuddleskie teams... And hopefully will NEVER experience the joy it helped create when the words, "Kenny Wheaton's Gonna Score!!!", resounded through the hearts, minds, nee', even the very souls of Duck fans everywhere.

 

Too many years of bitter defeat, and Fuskie arrogance, which for some of us, will never become 'water under the bridge'.

 

To give an idea how bad it was, our beloved home, Autzen Stadium, was PURPLE that day. 

 

The Duck Diehards were vastly outnumbered by the Fuskie faithful who traveled down I-5 in a virtual caravan, a purple wave, flags waving, crashing on the shores of Eugene, breaching the walls of our fortress, and leaving behind a nearly annual flood of bitter despair... The road to Autzen looked like an immigrant surge overwhelming the minds of Duck fans everywhere.

 

And then... "Kenny Wheaton's Gonna Score!!!", and years of pain and regret experienced the beginning of a cleansing purge.

 

For historical context, think of it like our, "Remember the Alamo", moment, when the Ducks channeled a small, ragtag band of Texicans, capturing General Santa Ana, and taking back their land (Yeah, I know... HYPerBOLe", but guys like FD get the analogy, I'm sure!)

 

It will always be a rivalry to those of us who experienced the tidal shift in the hopes and dreams of Duckdom that day!

 

It's payback time, baby!

Edited November 10, 2021 by woundedknees

[HappyToBeADuck]

And here's to many, many more pay back games against the little puppies.

 

Santa: Hello Young man, tell me what you want for Christmas?

 

Young man: For the Ducks to win a National Championship this season 

 

Santa: What a wonderful wish. I will see what I can do. What if I can't make that happen? Do you have another wish that might be easier to fulfill?

 

Young man: That the huskies go 0-12 in 2022.

 

Santa: Oh yes, much easier 

 

Go Ducks. 1-0 this week

[Duck1984]

Like the author David Miller I’ve come to care nothing for the annual mutt show.

 

Kenny Wheaton will forever be a hero for stealing the bone, but it’s no longer entertaining to watch the old dawgs bark and chase as if they could catch the Ducks.

[30Duck]

I have to agree with David that a rivalry with Washington ceased to exist a long time ago. As he illustrated Oregon has dominated the series to such an extent. You can't have a rivalry with a door mat. But, we can't just dismiss Washington, they will never be just a game on the schedule.

 

When the noise is too loud upstairs you can't ignore it, and it just gets worse if you ask them to turn it down, They tell you that they remember back when they stomped around with impunity and in their addled mind, that time still exists. But, you have found that if you toss an apple in the air he'll jump up in the air, catch it and be entertained for several hours.

 

Oregon would benefit with a true rival in the conference.  USC's trajectory is similar to Washington's over the last 20 years or so, since Carroll. Stanford has academic prowess so they can't really be expected to compete, can they? WSU is the Poison Oak of the Pac-12. OSU is the little train that could, and Utah, who has been consistently good since joining the conference.

 

Now I have to get some more apples.

 

[Charles Fischer]

On 11/10/2021 at 6:50 AM, woundedknees said:

Too many years of bitter defeat, and Fuskie arrogance, which for some of us, will never become 'water under the bridge'.

 

As a fan who is "Greybeard-age," I will never forget the tormenting of those times, and the subsequent joy.  No matter the records--this will always be the biggest game of the year for me.  Besides, we have a dozen victories to go, to even up the historical record between the two teams.

 

When the Huskies start winning again--their fans will be insufferable, and winning this border-war is the only thing that will shut them up.

 

Now with that said...David brought up some great points in his article that is handy for later, so THANKS!

[DurangoJim]

This “rivalry” will never be over for me. I experienced agonizing defeat from the fall of 1975 when I stepped on campus for the first time up to the glorious day in the stands for the pick. Then some more back and forth to finally be in the drivers seat.

 

Every day is an opportunity for a Husky fan to be arrogant and obnoxious.

 

Pray the Ducks can kick their sorry puppy butt every time, forever!!

 

[Jon Joseph]

Eye of the beholder? Tennessee fans still see the annual game vs Bama as a rivalry game. This year, TN did take Bama in Tuscaloosa into the 4th quarter.

 

Great take and the stats buoy your argument.  But I could have sworn I witnessed a lot of rivalry smack talk and angst on this board all of last week, up to, into and after the UW game?

[Haywarduck]

Great, but scary article David. I agree with the many who have lived through the rivalry not really being a rivalry both ways. When the dawgs were winning, and you experienced that, you will never think this isn't a rivalry. It is a perpetual struggle and until you realize this, you don't really understand a rivalry.

 

Nike understands a rivalry, and never loses the long game. Reebok rises up and Nike destroys them. Adidas is, like the dawgs, an old guard, and Nike just keeps punishing them. Football, like business, is where you don't just defeat your enemy, you keep at it until they are dead, or they rise back up.

 

I am actually afraid of a generation which doesn't understand the eternal struggle which is a rivalry. I hope, what I saw on Saturday, the willingness to go for the kill shot continues when we play the dawgs. Only then will I know we can stay on top and keep beating the dawgs. 

 

I can guarantee you there was a time when the dawgs didn't really look at the Ducks as a rival. Much of the same language was used, maybe they are just a nuisance? Then the pick happened and it all changed. I don't ever want to see that go the other way, we need to stay vigilant, stay true to the battle!

 

 

[Steven A]

On 11/10/2021 at 6:50 AM, woundedknees said:

For historical context, think of it like our, "Remember the Alamo", moment, when the Ducks channeled a small, ragtag band of Texicans, capturing General Santa Ana, and taking back their land (Yeah, I know... HYPerBOLe", but guys like FD get the analogy, I'm sure!)

Thanks for the "personal" analogy.  I might be the only person born in San Antonio and was at the game.

[Duck 1972]

I have a word of caution. If and when the Dawgs get a coach who can recruit they will have a huge advantage because of population saturation.

[Jon Joseph]

On 11/10/2021 at 2:20 PM, Duck 1972 said:

I have a word of caution. If and when the Dawgs get a coach who can recruit they will have a huge advantage because of population saturation.

 

WA has produced a bunch of stud recruits recently but UW cannot keep these guys at home. Perhaps they are not intelligent enough to matriculate at UW?

[Washington Waddler]

All I have to do is run this dead pooch idea past my gut, and the surge of adrenaline-laced loathing that comes up tells me this rivalry will never end. They’ve earned my eternal disrespect.

[Charles Fischer]

On 11/10/2021 at 12:58 PM, Washington Waddler said:

the surge of adrenaline-laced loathing that comes up tells me this rivalry will never end. They’ve earned my eternal disrespect.

 

Now THAT....is GREAT writing!  100% agree.

[Bsnellgrove4407]

I am going to roasted for this I am sure as I am a born Husky fan and Washington alum, but the whole premise of this article is flawed. It is a valid point that Oregon has dominated the series of the last 2 and a half decades, but if this means that the rivalry is over, it also means that the dominance of the Huskies before then means that there never was a rivalry.

[30Duck]

On 11/10/2021 at 3:07 PM, Bsnellgrove4407 said:

it also means that the dominance of the Huskies before then means that there never was a rivalry.

 

 Welcome to OBD, the "Rivalry" has spent most of its time lopsided towards one team. Washington was in charge 50 years ago, and since then it's evened out a bit, with Oregon taking control the last 30 or so.  There is No chance it will just be another game to either fan base. 

[Bsnellgrove4407]

 

On 11/10/2021 at 3:16 PM, 30Duck said:

There is No chance it will just be another game to either fan base. 

 

That was the point. The article is either satire or based on a flawed premise.

[Charles Fischer]

On 11/10/2021 at 3:07 PM, Bsnellgrove4407 said:

I am going to roasted for this I am sure as I am a born Husky fan and Washington alum, but the whole premise of this article is flawed. It is a valid point that Oregon has dominated the series of the last 2 and a half decades, but if this means that the rivalry is over, it also means that the dominance of the Huskies before then means that there never was a rivalry.

 

On this site--as long as people do not attack each other--any opinion is fine.  In fact it is the only safe place to post an "end-of-the-spectrum" view, or be a Husky fan because people still have to be nice to you.

 

I personally disagree with his premise, not just because I think there will always be a rivalry, but because most of us WANT the rivalry.  We LOVE to HATE our rival and it does add drama, entertainment and at times--great fun.

 

You have to admit that a winning percentage of only 55% since Don James retired is a surprising number to most of us.  Thanks for posting, and I will change your avatar to something that is NOT an Oregon helmet.  (I gave it to you assuming you were an Oregon fan)

[Charles Fischer]

On 11/10/2021 at 3:37 PM, Bsnellgrove4407 said:

The article is either satire or based on a flawed premise.

 

Flawed to you, but I know the fellow and this is what he believes and thinks that there could be a group that agrees with him.

 

Let me relate back 30 years ago....you cannot imagine the number of Husky fans that would look at me with disgust and disdain when I suggested we had a rivalry.  "You can only have a rivalry Charles, when both sides are winning their share and the Ducks are not in our league."  

 

You see--David was just espousing the Duck version of what I heard from Huskies years ago...

[Bsnellgrove4407]

On 11/10/2021 at 3:55 PM, Charles Fischer said:

You see--David was just espousing the Duck version of what I heard from Huskies years ago...

 

I agree with this, but if you thought it was a rivalry 30 years ago, then it has to be a rivalry now. You can't have it both ways. It really is rivalry between the fan bases, as both sides see the fans of the other as insufferable. Although, admittedly that is based on confirmation bias and small sample sizes.

[Bsnellgrove4407]

On 11/10/2021 at 3:55 PM, Charles Fischer said:

Let me relate back 30 years ago....you cannot imagine the number of Husky fans that would look at me with disgust and disdain when I suggested we had a rivalry.  "You can only have a rivalry Charles, when both sides are winning their share and the Ducks are not in our league."  

 

You see--David was just espousing the Duck version of what I heard from Huskies years ago...

By the way this is pretty much the definition of satire.

[Charles Fischer]

On 11/10/2021 at 4:00 PM, Bsnellgrove4407 said:

I agree with this, but if you thought it was a rivalry 30 years ago, then it has to be a rivalry now.

 

You will find that this site is unlike anything you have ever been on, as you are trying to win an argument.  What we do here is simply offer our opinions and see what others think, and David gave us his opinion.  As I said, I believe there will always be a rivalry, but Husky fans years ago did not think there was one, and David doesn't now.  They are not right or wrong as you suggest one side must be; it is simply their opinion that we allow and read them all here at OBD Forum.

 

Please read our rules for more information, as again--we are very unique here.

[Charles Fischer]

On 11/10/2021 at 4:05 PM, Bsnellgrove4407 said:

By the way this is pretty much the definition of satire.

 

You are looking to find an angle to be critical of the view or call it a form of writing that you believe it is.  Fine, call it satire...whatever.  It was David's view and satire is your view.

 

Now what?

[DrJacksPlaidPants]

Ducks could win the next 30 games, but this will always be the reason why each win will be sweeter than the last. 

Edited November 11, 2021 by DrJacksPlaidPants

[Bsnellgrove4407]

On 11/10/2021 at 4:10 PM, Charles Fischer said:

You are looking to find an angle to be critical of the view or call it a form of writing that you believe it is.  Fine, call it satire...whatever.  It was David's view and satire is your view.

 

Now what?

 

Not trying to "win an argument" just expressing and defending my opinion. I do not know the guy, but either he is being hypocritical, based on his own logic, or he is being satirical. I choose to believe that he us being satirical of us Husky fans, because that would reflect bad on us. Which, by the away, I agree with. I am old enough to remember when this rivalry was one sided the other way and believing that our rival was USC not Oregon, and I was wrong. 

[PittDuck]

Thanks David, for the reminder of how bad the dawgs from the “City of the Eternal Traffic Jam” actually SUCK!

 

It was a good and enlightening read, and while it does little to dampen my disgust of hooker gold and prostitute purple clad egotists who wouldn’t know a screen pass from a swing pass, it did warm my heart to see in print how much the HUSKIES SUCK!

 

Rivalry or not, there is only one PAC 12 team I like to see lose every week, and they play at the mistake on the lake.

Edited November 11, 2021 by PittDuck

[Haywarduck]

On 11/10/2021 at 4:20 PM, DrJacksPlaidPants said:

Ducks could win the next 30 games, but this will always be the reason why each win will be sweeter than the last. 

 

I am pretty sure every fan would've come out of the stands and..... escorted him off the field when that happened, if they could've. One of those moments the rivalry grew and my prediction for this years score was created.

[Duck in HuskyLand]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon–Washington_football_rivalry

It’s a matter of perspective.

 

Since 2004 the Ducks have played the Huskies 26 times and won 20.  
From 1934 to 1960, they also played 26 times — and the Huskies won 20.

Its the Circle of Life, friends…

 

Rivalry over?  No contest anymore?

Never!

 

Edited November 11, 2021 by Duck in HuskyLand
Hayward duck was first

[30Duck]

Washington is proud of this

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Oregon is proud of this

 

[DrJacksPlaidPants]

On 11/10/2021 at 5:36 PM, Haywarduck said:

 

I am pretty sure every fan would've come out of the stands and..... escorted him off the field when that happened, if they could've. One of those moments the rivalry grew and my prediction for this years score was created.

I

t was far better to exercise patience and wait for this. Oh, how sweet it was.

[Washington Waddler]

On 11/10/2021 at 3:07 PM, Bsnellgrove4407 said:

Oregon has dominated the series of the last 2 and a half decades, but if this means that the rivalry is over, it also means that the dominance of the Huskies before then means that there never was a rivalry.

Obviously, rivalries can live in hearts and minds as much as they do on the field. How fans relate to a rivalry is far beyond any analytical skills I might possess.

 

But, as regards the field, I’m not sure you can say any rivalry is ever static enough to be judged alive or dead. It’s way to dynamic a relationship to ever be in a permanent either/or circumstance: it’s situational. 

 

That’s why a field rivalry can be ‘dead’ (through much of the Don James era), but grow into being ‘alive’  (starting in 1994), and then pass once again into being ‘dead’ with Oregon’s recent dominance. 

 

Will it flip flop? Most likely. Just don’t confuse the two ways we relate to rivalry.

[Jon Joseph]

Based on the above IMHO the rivalry is not dead. It is out of balance as it has been before. But it is still a bitter rivalry between the 2 fan bases.

 

Kind of like Michigan/Ohio State these days.

[David Miller]

I appreciate everyone's thoughts and comments. After dominating the Huskies for so long I thought this would be a fun article to write, and it was. I don't honestly believe this rivalry will die, the fan hatred is simply too strong, but the feeling in me is growing that in the future when I look at next year's schedule and see "Washington" I'll pencil in the win, shrug, and think "meh, we own them."