By Mark Pszonak
There have been plenty of in-conference transfers that have caused tension amongst fans. One of the latest feuds is coming from the Big Ten, where USC and Oregon fans are re-igniting their PAC-12 rivalry because of a couple of transfers.
Both the Trojans and Ducks are known to be very active in the transfer portal. That has continued during this cycle, with both adding important players in an attempt to bolster their roster for the 2025 season. However, USC fans have taken it personally that the Ducks have signed two of their former players, defensive tackle Bear Alexander and offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon.
As mentioned, there have been several high publicity transfers between rivals. Trevor Etienne going from Florida to Georgia, Jermaine Burton going from Georgia to Alabama, and Henry To’oTo’o going from Tennessee to Alabama are a few recent in-conference examples. Ironically, another example involves Oregon and USC, but with a Duck going to Los Angeles.
Running back Travis Dye transferring from Oregon to USC back in January, 2022 was a gut punch for fans in Eugune. His entry into the portal came as a surprise, as he was a successful fan favorite who rushed for 1,271 yards and 16 touchdowns during the 2021 season. The shock of seeing Dye enter the portal and then sign with the Trojans a week later was difficult for Oregon fans to swallow. And they were open about their feelings (example of that here).
With the situation now reversed, nobody is going to feel bad for USC fans. Even if the Dye transfer didn’t happen, there wouldn’t be any sympathy. This is because this is how the transfer portal works. One school isn’t going to avoid recruiting a player because they are in the same conference, and a player isn’t going to avoid transferring to an in-conference rival as long as the opportunity and NIL money fits their needs.
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After receiving plenty of online heat from USC fans after his transfer to Oregon, Alexander went to X and commented on Pregnon’s commitment to the Ducks.
Back like we never left 😁🦆🦆 https://t.co/Yl7EEv3UAg
— Bear Alexander (@BearAlexander_) January 14, 2025
Alexander’s comment wasn’t over-the-top, but it was enough to stir the pot and further elevate the rivalry between the two schools. Luckily for everyone, the two play next season on November 22nd in Eugene.
Rivalries are an important part of college sports, and if the transfer portal adds to this, it is a unique benefit of the process. All of this is also an example of why fans should never get too high or too low after a transfer comes or goes. Because chances are that retribution isn’t too far away.
