CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) — The Pac-12 is still on their fields, but Oregon State and Washington State opened a surreal 2024 season on Saturday as the conference's final two teams.
It is the first season in the new guise of college football after the collapse of the so-called Conference of Champions during the realignment last summer.
On Saturday, the change was most visible to viewers at home, as both teams' season-opening games were televised nationally on the CW. In the past, those two early games likely would have been broadcast regionally on Pac-12 stations.
“It's just business as usual,” said Oregon State senior safety Jaden Robinson. “Everyone in front of us, we respect everyone, fear nobody. Whoever is in front of us, we're there to do our job and get it done. I miss the Pac-12 though.”
Washington State defeated Portland State 70-30 in Pullman and Oregon State defeated Idaho State 38-15 in Corvallis.
“We're having a year where we're in the spotlight,” Cougars coach Jake Dickert said. “People want to see what happens with the Cougars, what happens with the Pac-12. My attitude toward the team and our organization is we can't worry about any of that. Since January, it's been all about us, our preparation, our mentality and what we can really control. I think the rest will take care of itself.”
The Pac-12 logo will remain on the field and on players' uniforms because an agreement was reached with former teams that allows the Cougars and Beavers to retain league intellectual property.
Some other things will also remain the same. Both teams will continue to play in-state rivalry games – Oregon State hosts Oregon on Sept. 14 and Washington State visits Washington the same day in the Apple Cup.
On Thanksgiving, the day on which the rivalry games were traditionally played, the Beavers and the Cougars meet.
Under new commissioner Teresa Gould, the Pac-12 has reached agreements with the Mountain West Conference for football and the Big West Conference for other sports.
At Oregon State, the changes from last season to this one were particularly dramatic. Coach Jonathan Smith, a former Oregon State quarterback who helped lead the Beavers back to the postseason during his tenure, moved to Michigan State.
Smith's assistant Trent Bray, another former player, now leads the Beavers, who experienced an exodus to the transfer portal. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (Florida State), running back Damien Martinez (Miami) and wide receiver Silas Bolden (Texas) all transferred on.
Cam Ward, Washington State's starting quarterback last year, transferred to Miami.
“It feels a little weird because the rivalries are going to be different, but this is the first game of a long season. I think we're ready to see what happens,” said Oregon State fan Brian Fenn of Portland, who came to the opening game with his 11-year-old son.
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AP Sports Writer Anne M. Peterson contributed to this report.
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