The Rose Bowl ended with a dramatic anticlimax as Ohio State defeated Oregon 41-21 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, leaving fans and pundits alike stunned. The Ducks’ crushing defeat was a far cry from their dominant regular season record.
Oregon’s downfall began early, as Ohio State dominated the first half, scoring 34 points to zero. Despite having weeks to prepare for the game, the Ducks struggled to adjust. Oregon coach Dan Lanning attributed his team’s failure to a poor game plan and an inability to adapt quickly.
The Buckeyes, on the other hand, seemed to click into gear, with their offense spreading the ball around and exploiting Oregon’s defense. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith had a record-breaking night, further solidifying Ohio State’s advantage.
Oregon’s complaints about its draw in the playoff bracket were silenced after just 30 minutes of play. The Ducks’ inability to overcome the massive deficit was evident, and many questions now surround their collapse. Was it a case of rust from a brief layoff, or did they simply not have an effective plan against Ohio State?
Regardless, the outcome leaves little room for debate: Ohio State proved itself to be the better team on the day. The Buckeyes’ victory is a testament to their growth and preparation, while Oregon’s loss serves as a reminder that even the top seeds are not invincible in the College Football Playoff.
Source: https://ftw.usatoday.com/2025/01/ohio-state-oregon-rose-bowl-college-football-playoff