College football fans got a small dose of normalcy today when the Pac-12 came out with a full slate of games for all 12 teams.
As expected, the Ducks’ schedule won’t exactly be a walk in the park as they will go to Columbus in Week 2 to battle Ohio State in the Horseshoe. That game will most likely be a primetime game on ABC, but times and network won’t be announced for quite a while.
Oregon will open the season inside Autzen Stadium Sept. 4 with a game against Fresno State. Whether fans will be in the stands or how many will be allowed inside is to actual see the game in person is still to be determined.
Possibly a good sign that at least some Duck fans will be able to see their favorite team is that the athletic department did say they are in the midst of selling season tickets.
After Oregon goes to Columbus, it’ll come back to host Stony Brook, an FCS team before opening the Pac-12 with Arizona Sept. 25. The Ducks will then go to Stanford, always a tough place to play, before enjoying their first and only bye of the year.
Next is a Friday night game with Cal Oct. 15 and then going down to the Rose Bowl to face Chip Kelly’s UCLA Bruins Oct. 23. Colorado comes calling Oct. 30 right before Halloween.
The conference then made the interesting choice of making the Ducks go to Washington Nov. 6. The Huskies decided to opt out of last year’s game in Eugene because of Covid concerns and the conference could have made them make the trip down to Oregon this season. But they decided to stick with the original 2021 schedule, effectively making the Ducks travel to their rival two straight times.
The Cougars come to Autzen Nov. 13 before what could be the toughest road game with a trip to Utah Nov. 20. Hopefully the weather won’t play a huge part in deciding this one.
Rounding out the regular season, as usual, will be a Nov. 27 date with the Beavers in Eugene.
The Pac-12 Championship Game will be in Las Vegas Friday, Dec. 3, a game the Ducks hope to be in.
Overall, Oregon has seven home dates and it will miss USC in 2021 unless the two teams meet up in Las Vegas.
OREGON FOOTBALL SCHEDULE ( 2021 )
Sept. 4: vs. Fresno State
Sept. 11: at Ohio State
Sept. 18: vs. Stony Brook
Sept. 25: vs. Arizona
Oct. 2: at Stanford
Oct. 9: BYE
Oct. 15 (Fri.): vs. California
Oct. 23: at UCLA
Oct. 30: vs. Colorado
Nov. 6: at Washington
Nov. 13: vs. Washington State
Nov. 20: at Utah
Nov. 27: vs. Oregon State