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# Washington State Rekindles Pac-12 Ties With Familiar Opponent in Oregon State
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/washington-state-cougars-oregon-state-beavers-familiar-opponent-pac-12/
- Published: 2026-07-06T21:04:48.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T06:14:15.000Z
- Author: Jacob Stevenson
- Tags: News, Cougars Football, Cougars Men's Basketball, Cougars Baseball

With the Pac-12 back open for business, Washington State will get to see a well-known foe in Oregon State, the only other program returning from the old conference. Like the Cougars, the Beavers were left scrambling after the Pac-12 fell apart in 2023.

Oregon State spent the last two football seasons as an independent while many of its other sports competed in the West Coast Conference. It wasn't an easy road, but the Beavers continued to find ways to compete despite the uncertainty. Now, with the rebuilt Pac-12 officially underway, Oregon State is back where it belongs. Along with Washington State, the Beavers will help usher in a new era of Pac-12 athletics as one of the two original members leading the way.

Football enters a new chapter in Corvallis this season under first-year head coach JaMarcus Shephard. Oregon State moved on from Trent Bray after the 2025 season and turned to Shephard to help get the program back on track. Before taking over the Beavers, Shephard built a strong reputation as one of college football's top assistant coaches, particularly as a wide receivers coach and recruiter. He now faces the challenge of rebuilding a program that has struggled since Jonathan Smith departed for Michigan State following the 2023 season.

Shephard inherits a roster made up of returning players and transfer additions as he begins rebuilding Oregon State into a contender in the new-look Pac-12\. While expectations may be tempered in year one, Oregon State hopes Shephard can lay the foundation for long-term success and eventually compete near the top of the conference standings once again.

While the football program is starting over, baseball continues to be the standard in Corvallis. Head coach Mitch Canham has kept Oregon State among the nation's elite programs despite all the conference realignment over the last few years. Few programs in college baseball have enjoyed the sustained success Oregon State has. The Beavers have won three national championships (2006, 2007, and 2018) and have made numerous appearances in the NCAA tourney, establishing themselves as one of the premier brands on the west coast.

Every season, Oregon State enters with expectations of hosting NCAA Regional games and making a deep postseason run. Even while competing as an independent over the past two seasons, the Beavers never lost their place among the country's top programs. Their return immediately gives the rebuilt Pac-12 one of the most consistent baseball programs in the nation and should help keep the conference nationally relevant in the sport.

Men's basketball is also entering a new era. After spending the past two seasons in the West Coast Conference, the Beavers return to the Pac-12 with a new head coach in Justin Joyner, who takes over for longtime coach Wayne Tinkle. Joyner inherits a program looking for consistency after several difficult seasons that followed Oregon State's memorable Elite Eight run in 2021.

That Cinderella run remains one of the greatest moments in school history, but the Beavers have struggled to find close to that same level of success since then. The hope is that a fresh coaching staff, a rebuilt roster, and a return to a familiar conference will provide stability for the program moving forward. While Oregon State may not be among the preseason favorites, the Beavers believe they're building something that can become competitive over the next few seasons.

Oregon State's return is a huge piece of what makes the rebuilt Pac-12 work. The Beavers bring tradition, passionate fan support, and a history of success across multiple sports. Their nationally recognized baseball program immediately raises the conference's profile, while football and men's basketball both enter new eras under first-year head coaches looking to rebuild their programs.

For Washington State, having Oregon State back in the conference also restores a familiar opponent, bridging the old era with the new one. The two schools experienced many of the same challenges over the past two years and now have the opportunity to help shape what comes next. As the Pac-12 begins its next chapter, Oregon State will play an important role in building a conference that values regional rivalries, competitive athletics, and long-term stability.