Oregon head coach Chip Kelly says to be the best you have to play the best.
The athletic department announced a home-and-home series with Ohio State on Monday, in what would amount to a rematch of the 2010 Rose Bowl. But when kickoff finally rolls around — Sept. 12, 2020, for the first matchup in Autzen and 364 days later in Columbus, Ohio for the other half — one wonders whether Kelly will still be the one pacing the Ducks’ sidelines.
Ohio State, a perennial contender in the Big Ten, has played in Autzen just one time before in the stadium’s inaugural season in 1967. The two teams last met in the 2010 Rose Bowl, with the Buckeyes getting the best of the Ducks 26-17 in Chip Kelly’s first year as head coach.
“The Pac-12 and Big Ten have enjoyed a long-standing relationship, so the opportunity to add another Big Ten opponent was attractive,” athletic director Rob Mullens said. “Attracting top teams to Autzen Stadium remains a goal as this is the type of the matchup our loyal fans love.”
Over the last decade and a half, Oregon has also completed home-and-home series’ with four other Big Ten teams: Wisconsin, Purdue, Michigan and Michigan State.
More nonconference matchups in the Ducks future:
- Tennessee @ Oregon (2013)
- Michigan State @ Oregon (2014)
- Georgia State @ Oregon (2015)
- Oregon @ Michigan State (2015)
- Bowling Green @ Oregon (2018)
- Texas A&M @ Oregon (2018)
- Oregon @ Texas A&M (2019)
Big news: Oregon & Ohio State have scheduled a home-and-home football series. Buckeyes to visit @uoautzen in 2020, UO at Ohio Stadium in ’21
— Andy McNamara (@McNamaraUO) October 23, 2012
Great CFB news: Ohio State, Oregon to play home-and-home in 2020, 2021. The sport needs more of these series.
— George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) October 23, 2012
With advent of four-team playoff, series like Oregon-Ohio State might be seen to help more than hurt. Strength of schedule could be big.
— George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) October 23, 2012
Oregon-Ohio State home/home also an indication of continuing evolution of Oregon program. Not so long ago, it would been $ game at Columbus.
— George Schroeder (@GeorgeSchroeder) October 23, 2012
Rose Bowl rematch “@mcnamarauo: Big news: Oregon & Ohio State have scheduled a home-and-home football series.”
— Emerald (@DailyEmerald) October 23, 2012
Ohio State coming into Autzen in 2020. Hopefully they don’t back out #GoDucks
— Kyle McClain (@bigkmcclain) October 23, 2012
Kudos to Rob Mullens & Eric Roedl for working w/ Ohio St on home & home for UO fball, a lot goes on behind the scenes. #GoDucks
— Craig Pintens (@UOPintens) October 23, 2012
Ducks today also confirmed the 2015 game that Georgia State recently announced, and said they’ll open against Bowling Green in 2018.
— Rob Moseley (@DuckFootball) October 23, 2012
