Rose Bowl quarterfinal for the CFP
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Who:
No. 1 Oregon Ducks (13-0) vs. No. 8 Ohio State (11-2)
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When:
Wednesday, Jan. 1
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Time:
2 p.m. PT
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Where:
Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California
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TV channel:
ESPN
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Stream:
You canwatch this game live for FREE with Fubo
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Watch ESPN
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Near the end of the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Tennessee Volunteers CFP game in Columbus on Saturday, December 21, 2024, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day breaks into a rare smile. The Buckeyes defeated Oregon 42–17 and will now play Oregon in the Rose Bowl.Petkiewicz, David, cleveland.com
This season, Ohio State:
Ohio State’s devastating loss to Michigan at the end of their 10-2 regular season prevented them from playing in the Big Ten title game. But three weeks later, the Buckeyes bounced back and punched their Rose Bowl ticket by thrashing No. 9 seed Tennessee. When playing at its best, OSU is one of the most talented teams in the nation and a real contender for the national championship.
Will Howard is one of the top quarterbacks this season, efficient, accurate and surrounded with elite skill players. Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson may be the best running back combination in the league. The top college football receiver is Jeremiah Smith. All three levels of a top 10 defense have future NFL players.
Even though Tennessee was unable to capitalize, Oregon have the talent to do so, and Ohio State’s offensive line is hindered by injuries. Over the previous two seasons, no team has outscored the Ducks in both yards and points when playing the Buckeyes. Toe to toe, few have the firepower. UO has already demonstrated that it does.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard looks for an open receiver against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jay LaPrete/AP)Jay LaPrete/AP Photo
Impact player: Will Howard, quarterback
Third nationally in accuracy (73.2%) and efficiency (173.5), Howard has 29 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also has seven rushing scores and can extend plays with his legs enough to make the receiving corps that much more threatening.
Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) reacts after slipping with a wide open field ahead of him during first half action in the college football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Purdue Boilermakers in Columbus on Saturday, November 9, 2024. The Buckeyes won 45-0.Petkiewicz, David, cleveland.com
Impact player: RB TreVeyon Henderson
Henderson had 10 carries for 87 yards with a 53-yarder in the first meeting with Oregon. He does not have a 100-yard game this season because of the shared workload but is averaging over seven yards per carry.
Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins celebrates making a first down against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio.Jay LaPrete/AP Photo
Impact player: RB Quinshon Judkins
Judkins is up to 839 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead OSU for the season. However, he s topped 50 yards just twice in the past eight games.
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith plays against Indiana during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio.Jay LaPrete/AP Photo
Impact player: WR Jeremiah Smith
The best receiver in the country, Smith has 63 receptions for 1,037 yards and 12 touchdowns plus a rushing score. He s a generational talent few can contain and had one of his four 100-yard games this season against Oregon.
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka reacts after scoring a touchdown against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)OSU
Impact player: WR Emeka Egbuka
A threat in his own right, Egbuka has 65 catches for 824 yards and nine touchdowns. He had a season-high 10 catches against the Ducks.
Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) intercepts a pass in the end zone on a pass intended for Wolverines tight end Hogan Hansen (80) during second half action in the college football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines in Columbus on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Michigan pulled off the upset 13-10.Petkiewicz, David, cleveland.com
Impact player: DE Jack Sawyer
Defensive captain has 51 tackles with six sacks, one interception, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau warms up before of an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)(AP Photo/Al Goldis)
Impact player: DE JT Tuimoloau
One of the most disruptive defenders in the Big Ten, Tuimoloau has 46 tackles (14 for loss) with eight sacks, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. He had two sacks against Tennessee.
Ohio State’s Caleb Downs (2) in action against Marshall during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio.AP Photo/Gregory Payan
Impact player: S Caleb Downs
One of the top defensive backs in the country, Downs has 69 tackles (6.5 for loss) with an interception and three pass breakups.
Did you know?
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Of Ohio State s last 12 losses, dating back to 2017, it has lost the rushing and turnover battles in seven of those games, including twice to Oregon. OSU lost the rushing battle in four of the other losses and the turnover battle in the lone other loss it won the rushing battle.
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Ohio State is making its fourth College Football Playoff appearance since 2019. No other school has been to four of the last six CFPs.
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Ohio State is 4-4 all-time in CFP games but has never played a CFP game at the Rose Bowl.
Threat level (1 lowest to 5 highest): 5
It s everything anyone would dream up for a playoff game in the Rose Bowl. The shame this year being that this matchup comes in a quarterfinal when it easily could be a national championship matchup. These are likely the two most talented teams in the country. The offenses got the better of the defenses the first time out and likely will again simply because of the depth of talent each side has. Provided the injury situations remain unchanged, Oregon should have a bigger advantage against Ohio State s offensive line than the first meeting. But this is as evenly matched as any opponent might be with the Ducks this season.
Early prediction:Oregon 31, Ohio State 28
Pregame reading:
Rewinding Oregon s path to College Football Playoff
Oregon s win over Ohio State still bugs Will Howard, pissed off Buckeyes defense
Oregon opens as slight underdog against Ohio State in Rose Bowl
–James Crepeacovers theOregon Ducksand Big Ten. Listen to theDucks Confidentialpodcast or subscribe to theDucks Roundup newsletter.
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