The No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes delivered a dominant performance against the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night, punching their ticket to a high-stakes Rose Bowl showdown. Awaiting them on New Year’s Day are the top-ranked Oregon Ducks, the only undefeated team in the FBS, fresh off their Big Ten Championship win.
Oregon has been the picture of excellence this season—consistent, explosive, and unrelenting in their pursuit of perfection. But their biggest test came earlier this year when they edged out Ohio State in a dramatic 32-31 thriller in Eugene. Widely hailed as the College Football Game of the Year, that matchup set the stage for an even more electrifying sequel with a College Football Playoff spot hanging in the balance.
Oregon Holds the Edge, But ESPN’s FPI Disagrees
Despite their flawless record, Oregon enters the Rose Bowl as only a 1.5-point favorite. Analysts peg the Ducks as one of the strongest contenders for the national title, but ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) paints a different picture.
According to the FPI, Ohio State has a 26.0% chance to make the national championship game and an 18.7% chance to win it all. Oregon’s odds sit slightly lower, with a 24.7% chance to reach the title game and a 13.7% chance to claim the championship.
This data suggests that while Oregon has dominated all season, the FPI sees Ohio State as having a slight edge in the upcoming clash.
A Rivalry Renewed
The first meeting between these teams this season ended in unforgettable fashion. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard led a desperate final drive to get his team into field goal range. But in a heart-stopping moment, Howard’s late slide prevented him from calling a timeout, and the Ducks escaped with a one-point victory as the clock expired.
Now, the Buckeyes have a shot at redemption. Oregon, meanwhile, faces the monumental task of defending their unbeaten record against a team hungry to avenge its earlier loss.
Both teams have had extraordinary seasons, and their paths will intersect once more in Pasadena. With a perfect season on the line for Oregon and a chance to return to glory for Ohio State, this Rose Bowl promises to be nothing short of an instant classic.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for full ESPN FPI metrics, rankings, and predictions as the College Football Playoff inches closer. Buckeyes vs. Ducks is more than a rematch; it’s a battle for history. Who will rise to the occasion? January 1 will have all the answers.
