Ellington

Picture this scene.

Nov. 6, 2010.

Washington has just defeated the defending conference champion, the Oregon Ducks. Paul Allen hands a beautiful crystal goblet engraved with “Columbia Cup” to Jake Locker, starting a new tradition and a new chapter in the heated football rivalry between Washington and Oregon.

Washington’s football rivalry with Oregon has just about everything. It has proximity, hatred, venom, and easily the two most spirited fan bases in the Pac-10. It has irrationality and history and that damn Kenny Wheaton highlight played before every game at Autzen Stadium. So why doesn’t it have a trophy?

This rivalry deserves a trophy. The Michigan-Ohio State and Oklahoma-Texas rivalries have proven that when two state schools, both of which have legitimate tradition and success, play for regional bragging rights, good football ensues. The rivalry between Oregon and Washington is arguably the biggest interstate rivalry in the Pac-10. Autzen is the toughest place to play in the Pac-10, except, of course, for Husky Stadium, which averages 65,000 fans during an 0-12 season and still holds the record for highest decibel level during a game, according to ESPN.

It’s time the schools decide to legitimize it and make it official. We could call the trophy the “Columbia Cup” and battle for it every year. It’s already one of the biggest, most passionate rivalries in the game. Let the rest of the country find out. The UW is on the upswing, and Oregon is good; turn this game into a sexy rivalry, and you think ESPN won’t be interested? This game could be a great moneymaker for all.

The great thing about this rivalry is that both teams want it so, so badly. Fans of both schools feel superior, and legitimately so. Oregon fans will tell anyone who asks that they’ve beaten Washington six-straight times.

However, Washington fans love to remind listeners that the UW’s all-time record against Oregon is 51-35-4 and that the UW has won a Rose Bowl as recently as 2001. Oregon hasn’t won it since 1917. More importantly, we as fans need somebody to hate. Our natural rivals are too different. They’re no fun to hate. As a UW fan, I see a bunch of my friends who go to WSU during every break. I don’t hate them; I grew up with them. I sure hate those no-good, dirty, cheating Ducks, though. I hate them for being the best team in the Northwest, I hate them for being propped up by Nike, and I hate them for what their uniforms do to fashion and good taste. Any UW fan who’s ever dared venture to Autzen knows firsthand that those dirty Ducks feel the same way about me.

There just isn’t the same level of animosity between any of the other Northwest schools. Sure, Oregon fans dislike Oregon State fans, but they also see them at work every day. But, really, ask yourself: If LaMichael James was hanging off a cliff, would you save him?

Of course you would. But, be honest, you’d spend a moment thinking about what it would mean for Oregon if you didn’t, wouldn’t you?

The players, coaches and fans recognize the importance of this game. It’s time the schools’ administrations did as well. First-year Oregon coach Chip Kelly did his part to add fuel to the rivalry before he ever coached a game, accusing Washington coach Steve Sarkisian of padding Jake Locker’s stats in the spring game.

No matter how you slice it, this game has all the ingredients of a big-time college football rivalry. Now, let’s make it official.

Reach columnist Jacob Thorpe at sports@dailyuw.com.