What if Oregon didn't have to remember the Alamo?

Under the Pac-12's new championship game format, the 2015 Oregon Ducks would have been given a better fate.

What if Oregon didn’t have to remember the Alamo?

One of the biggest “What ifs” in Oregon history added some heft to its case on Wednesday following the Pac-12’s decision to alter its football championship game format. 

Since 2011, the conference’s two division winners have met in its title game. Oregon has played in four and won three. But under the Pac-12’s new rule, the two teams with the best records in the entire conference will instead meet — divisions be damned. 

The change goes into effect this season. 

“Our goal is to place our two best teams in our Pac-12 Football Championship Game, which we believe will provide our conference with the best opportunity to optimize CFP invitations and ultimately win national championships,” said Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff.  “Today’s decision is an important step towards that goal and immediately increases both fan interest in, and the media value of, our Football Championship Game.”

The Pac-12 noted the change would have previously impacted five of the last 11 championship games, with Oregon’s four title game appearances growing into six. 

The two additions? 

Chip Kelly’s No. 5 Ducks would have met No. 8 Stanford in the 2012 game, while Mark Helfrich’s No. 16 Ducks would have met the No. 7 Cardinal in 2015. 

The latter is the one you should fixate on here.