It’s said that there’s more than one way to skin a cat. By that same token, there’s more than one way for fans to approach a big game. And while the most dedicated of the bunch might disagree, I ride with anyone who has a plan and sticks with it in regard to what gets them and their team what they want most — a win.
This topic is especially apt this week as Oregon Duck fans playout the clock over the final days of what’s been a long year awaiting the arrival of one of the program’s historically biggest home games.
I’m old enough to remember contests against No. 3-ranked Michigan in 2003; Adrian Peterson’s Oklahoma team in 2006; games against then iconic USC teams in 2007 and 2009; there was a game against SEC power Tennessee in 2013; and even by “Civil War” standards, very weighty rivalry games in 2001 and 2009, the latter of which decided the conference’s champion and Rose Bowl representative.
But this weekend’s game against Ohio State is the first against a conference foe but unfamiliar iconic power and blue blood of the college game, who in years past would have more frequently bought their way out of games at Autzen Stadium opposed to measure themselves against the Ducks between the home lines.