The sequel is happening later than expected but is no less intriguing when No. 8 seed Ohio State and No. 1 seed Oregon square off in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff.
A 32-31 home win by the Ducks in a top-three matchup on Oct. 12 wasn’t decided until the final second when quarterback Will Howard scrambled to get the Buckeyes in position for a possible score and couldn’t get a timeout called before the clock expired.
The ending left college football fans wanting more, and now they’ve finally got it, although it was supposed to have been at the Big Ten Championship Game on Dec. 7 in Indianapolis.
But the Buckeyes’ choke against Michigan the week prior—made even more inexplicable after watching how Ohio State (11-2) dominated No. 9 seed Tennessee 42-17 on Dec. 21 in a first-round game—changed everything.
If the Buckeyes had beaten the Wolverines, it would have been Ohio State-Oregon Part II in Indy with the possibility of a third encounter for the national championship since they would have been in opposite brackets.
Instead, we’re left with the consolation that much more is at stake than being crowned king of the Big Ten.
The key will be which team has evolved the most since that fall meeting.
“You look at what worked, you look at what didn’t work, you look at how your team has changed, and you try to play again to your strengths,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “You look at how your opponent’s team has changed, so there are going to be some differences compared to the last game for sure.”
For the Buckeyes it’s obvious. Heisman Trophy finalist Dillon Gabriel was 23 of 44 for 341 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 32 yards and a TD. Afterward, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles was universally torched for not applying pressure on Gabriel, as evidenced by zero sacks.
There was a meeting of the minds among the Ohio State staff, and since then the defense has not allowed a passing TD in seven games while posting five sacks in a game once (Indiana) and four on three occasions, including against Tennessee.
Oregon (13-0), despite its unblemished record, has faults too. Penn State gained 516 yards while losing 45-37 in the conference title game, with Kaytron Allen rushing for 124 yards and Nick Singleton 105.
If it’s a ground battle, the Buckeyes like their chances after a redemptive effort vs. the Vols when they rushed for 156 yards on a 4.7 average.
This after head coach Ryan Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly were vilified (a reoccurring theme if you happen to be an Ohio State coach) for a remarkably inept strategy vs. Michigan of trying to run between the tackles despite season-ending injuries to left tackle Josh Simmons and Seth McLaughlin, who won the Rimington Trophy as the nation’s best center.
The Buckeyes had just 77 yards on 26 carries (3.0 average) in the 13-10 loss. Ohio State had three weeks between Michigan and Tennessee to shuffle the line, and it worked. At least for one game.
Don’t expect the Ducks to differ from what has gotten them to this point. While Ohio State boasts it has the best receivers corps with Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate, Oregon would argue its trio of Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart and Traeshon Holden are better.
If there’s an edge through the air, give it to Gabriel, who has thrown six interceptions compared to nine for Howard.
It sets up what should be a shootout in Pasadena. In the old days, such as last year, it would be a classic Big Ten vs. Pac-12 matchup.
Then again, the schedule this first year of the new-look Big Ten provided a tantalizing prelude during the regular season to whet the appetite.
