Oregon beat the Trojans 31-24 in the conference title game last December, representing the Pac-12 North after Washington could not participate because of a COVID-19 outbreak among its players. It was the second conference title in three seasons under coach Mario Cristobal, rewarding his emphasis on recruiting that has seen Oregon bring in the likes of junior edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who could be the first player selected in the next NFL draft.
Although the teams did not play each other in the shortened conference-only season last year, Oregon got the nod over the Pacific Northwest rival Huskies to represent the North.