The stage is set for a highly anticipated Rose Bowl clash on Wednesday as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks prepare to face the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFP quarterfinals. Despite Oregon’s narrow 32-31 victory over Ohio State earlier this season, head coach Dan Lanning is zeroing in on a critical area of improvement—capitalizing on red-zone opportunities.
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Oregon’s Red-Zone Challenges
In their October win over the Buckeyes, Oregon struggled to make the most of their red-zone visits, scoring touchdowns on just two of five trips. The Ducks also missed a field goal and botched a snap, leaving crucial points on the board.
“There’s a lot of moments in those games that we could have been better. I think that’s one of the biggest things I walked away with,” Lanning said during Monday’s media availability. “That’s an area we can certainly improve and be better.”
With Ohio State boasting the top-ranked scoring defense in the nation—allowing just 11.4 points per game—the Ducks will need to be far more efficient if they hope to replicate their earlier success.
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Ohio State’s Defensive Edge
Ohio State enters the rematch with one of the most formidable defenses in college football, leading the FBS in both total defense (242.2 yards per game) and pass defense (141.2 yards per game). The Buckeyes will look to stifle Oregon’s high-powered offense led by:
QB Dillon Gabriel: The nation’s second-ranked quarterback with an 86.7 QBR.
RB Jordan James: A workhorse back with 1,253 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns.
WR Tez Johnson: A dynamic playmaker with 866 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
Ohio State also features offensive firepower, with wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka combining for 1,861 yards and 21 touchdowns. However, QB Will Howard’s clock management misstep in the first meeting—waiting too long to slide on the final drive—ultimately cost the Buckeyes a chance at victory.
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Historical Context and Stakes
This marks the first postseason meeting between Oregon and Ohio State since the inaugural CFP National Championship in the 2014 season, a game the Buckeyes won. Now, as new Big Ten foes, the stakes are even higher with a semifinal berth on the line.
Oregon enters the Rose Bowl as the reigning Big Ten champions after defeating Penn State 45-37 in the conference title game. Ohio State, meanwhile, looks to avenge its earlier loss and build on its 11-2 record.
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Final Thoughts
Dan Lanning’s focus on red-zone efficiency reflects the high stakes of this matchup, as every opportunity will be critical against Ohio State’s stout defense. With stars on both sides of the ball and a storied rivalry adding extra intensity, this Rose Bowl showdown promises to be one of the most exciting games of the CFP quarterfinals.
Can the Ducks punch their ticket to the semifinals, or will the Buckeyes’ defense pave the way for revenge? Fans won’t want to miss what’s shaping up to be an epic battle.
