Rob Mullens: Oregon ‘will be doing everything we can to try to figure out a way to play’ Oregon State

Oregon remains intent on continuing to play Oregon State in all sports, but resuming the in-state rivalry once the schools are in separate conferences will be a challenge, particularly in football.

UO athletic director Rob Mullens reiterated the school’s stance since it accepted an invitation earlier this month to join the Big Ten starting next season.

“Our goal will be to continue to play that series, without a doubt,” Mullens said on the school’s in-house radio show on Thursday. “It’s a wonderful series. Two fan bases that really have respect for one another. Football will be the most difficult, just because of the way football contracts are so far out into the future. But we will be doing everything we can to try to figure out a way to play that. Other sports would be a lot simpler if the programs can find a way to do it. Those are more done on an annual basis. That would be our goal, is to continue to play that series for sure.”

Dan Lanning wants Oregon Ducks to continue rivalry with Oregon State Beavers, at Autzen and Reser Stadium

Oregon’s nonconference football schedules are set through 2029, though each year includes a game against an FCS opponent. The Big Ten permits its teams to play FCS opponents only in seasons in which they are hosting four conference games, but the league will not require UO, Washington or UCLA to break any existing nonconference contracts.

Big Ten COO Kerry Kenny told The Oregonian/OregonLive last week that the conference is having “ongoing conversation” with Oregon and Washington about the scheduling of their respective in-state rivalry games.

That process should be able to progress once Oregon State and Washington State determine their future conference affiliations, with the Mountain West and AAC the most likely destinations.