Pac-12 college football picks: Why the Washington-Oregon rivalry is about to become an even bigger deal

The most important rivalry in the Pac-12 is on display this week, before the traditional intra-state affairs that dominate the final fortnight of the regular season.

The Oregon-Washington game isn’t the most historic or hate-filled rivalry. It doesn’t generate the level of pure venom we see in other affairs across the West. For national impact, it’s a relative newcomer.