Wednesday, Jan. 1
5 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific
ESPN/ABC
The rematch of one of the better and more compelling regular-season games from the 2024 college football campaign is a classic Rose Bowl. Technically, Oregon is a Big Ten team, but we all identify Oregon as a longtime Pac-12 school which will face Big Ten powerhouse Ohio State in a Granddaddy which just feels right. What adds to the magnitude of this matchup is that one can make the argument these are the two most talented teams in the country. Ohio State lost twice this season, but the Buckeyes have a lot of dudes who will go to the NFL draft, either in 2025 or 2026. Oregon is the one team to go unbeaten in the regular season. Dan Lanning has recruited and portaled at an elite level to put the Ducks not just on par with, but ahead of, Ohio State in the 2024 standings. These teams were separated by one point in October. Their rematch is a supremely compelling game, and the winner just might be the favorite to go all the way and win the national championship.
Oh, and there’s also this detail: If Ryan Day can’t beat Oregon in two tries this season, how will his job status at Ohio State be affected? Administrators at Ohio State like him and support him, but will a loss here alienate big-money boosters so much that Day’s position becomes untenable? It’s a legitimate question which – in the event of an Oregon blowout victory – will linger into the first weeks of January. A win here clearly quiets all the chatter about Ryan Day, but a decisive loss would create a fresh firestorm heading into the offseason. There is no end of storylines attached to this game.
Ohio State Buckeyes-Oregon Ducks Odds
Spread: Ohio State -2.5 (-110), Oregon +2.5 (-110)
Total: 55.5 (Over -105, Under -115)
Underdog moneyline: Oregon +115
Hear T.J. And Jason Powers breakdown the Rose Bowl rematch off the “3 Dog Thursday Podcast” by clicking play below,
Buckeyes favored in the rematch
The biggest reason why Ohio State is favored over Oregon despite the Ducks being 13-0 and OSU having two losses is very simple: Ohio State played great against Tennessee and looked like a wagon. Tied into that reality is that OSU finally started game-planning and scheming appropriately after the face-plant against Michigan. Versus Michigan, Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly tried to run the ball even though the OSU receivers had a huge matchup advantage against the Wolverine corners and safeties. Ohio State’s offense just didn’t produce. Against Tennessee, the lesson was learned: Ohio State threw the ball down the field and trusted its receivers to make plays. When OSU plays like that and attacks opposing secondaries, it is really tough to beat.
Oregon’s defense looked mediocre against Penn State in the Big Ten Championship Game. Ohio State has better personnel and better athletes than Penn State. That’s why there’s ample reason to think Ohio State should indeed be favored here despite having two more losses than Oregon does.
The argument for Oregon is simple: The Ducks have had over three weeks to rest, get healthy, and refocus after winning all 13 regular-season games. Oregon should be mentally refreshed, all while Ohio State might already have played its best game against Tennessee. Is OSU ready to play consecutive great games, or have the Buckeyes already used up their best ball of the season?
We would lean to Ohio State here, and we would also lean to the over here, but ultimately, we think this game is a coin flip and therefore is a game you should simply enjoy as a fan rather than bet on. Maybe consider a live play late in the fourth quarter if the moneyline is still close to even money and you have a strong idea of which team will ultimately win. Beyond that, just enjoy what looks like a shootout.