Michigan State had enough competition from Power Five college football teams also hoping to hire Jonathan Smith that it added a seventh year to his contract, helping a shaken program land the former Oregon State coach.
The Washington state Supreme Court has granted a request by the University of Washington and the Pac-12 to put on hold a lower court’s ruling that gave Oregon State and Washington State control of the conference.
Michigan State hired coach Jonathan Smith away from No. 15 Oregon State. The former Beaver QB was 34-35 over six seasons at Oregon State, including an 8-4 mark this year as the program earned at least eight wins in consecutive seasons.
Bo Nix threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, securing No. 6 Oregon a spot in the Pac-12 championship game with a 31-7 victory over No. 15 Oregon State.
But Friday’s game at Autzen Stadium could be the last for the foreseeable future. Sixth-ranked Oregon is departing for the Big Ten next season, and No. 15 Oregon State will stay as one of two remaining teams in the Pac-12.
Michael Penix Jr. threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, and No. 5 Washington remained undefeated and clinched a spot in the Pac-12 championship game with a 22-20 victory over No. 10 Oregon State
Oregon State and Washington State are moving toward keeping the Pac-12 alive as a two-team conference for as much as two years, while also entering a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West.
No. 5 Washington can clinch a spot in the Pac-12 title game with a win over No. 10 Oregon State this weekend. This game is the 108th all-time meeting between the Huskies and Beavers.