What was that game really going to tell us anyway?
Because 2020 wouldn't be 2020 if the Husky game wasn't the one that got cancelled.
Today is Friday, and so that usually means that it’s time for a preview of Saturday’s Duck football game. But what the hell are we supposed to do if there isn’t a Duck football game after all?
Back in August, I had processed most of my grief from the initial loss of the entire season, and so most of 2020 football has come with a strong feeling of, “I’m just happy to be here.”
But then—with one week to go—there was one college football program that took covid protocols and guidelines seriously, and then there was another program that was named Washington, and now nobody is happy. /s
I said it in yesterday’s Neu-sletter, but this game is typically one of the biggest dates on my calendar. I’d trade the Oregon/Washington game for my birthday, if I could (though that might have something to do with not wanting to get booted from my parents’ health insurance).
This season is one for the trivia pages, for sure. Like World War II’s ArmyDucks, or the fact that both Autzen Stadium and Rich Brooks Field are named after Oregon State grads.
And obviously there are far more important things going on in the world right now than college football.
But even after all the funkiness of covid league, the disappointment of missing this game—barring an improbable moment of clarity on Larry Scott’s part to reschedule it—feels extra disappointing.
I wish the best health and recovery to every student-athlete that has been afflicted with covid. They’ve found themselves right in front of this virus, and seemingly it has been to generate money for their University, keep the television folks in business, and to give simpletons like me even the briefest moment of distraction.
This whole mess has revealed a lot of brutal realities of our world, and I hope their sacrifice paves the way for future generations to be given a fairer shake.
This game might have been a win, it might have been a loss, and hell, it might even still happen. But either way, our collective disappointment can be channelled in one of three ways:
1) stepping back and counting our blessings
2) listening to Taylor Swift’s aptly solemn 9th studio album, evermore
3) tuning in at 4 pm on Saturday to watch the Ducks play the Huskies (in Men’s Basketball)
Silver linings, or something like that.
78-68, Altman & Co.
Go Ducks.