Game Overview

The College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl features the No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks (13-0) and the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2). This highly anticipated matchup pits Oregon’s balanced dominance against Ohio State’s explosive offense. Kickoff is set for January 1, 2025, at 3:00 PM EST in Pasadena, California.

Both teams have showcased the ability to score at will, and this matchup has all the makings of a shootout under the bright lights of the Rose Bowl.

Betting Odds

Team Analysis

Ohio State Buckeyes

The Buckeyes boast one of the most efficient offenses in the nation, averaging 37.6 points per game. Quarterback Will Howard has thrown for 3,171 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions, while wide receiver Jaxon Smith has been his primary target, racking up 1,037 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Ohio State’s rushing attack, led by Quinshon Judkins (839 rushing yards, 10 TDs), complements their aerial game effectively. However, the Buckeyes' defense has shown vulnerabilities, particularly against dynamic offenses like Oregon’s.

Oregon Ducks

The Ducks have been unstoppable this season, averaging 39.2 points per game while surrendering just 16.8 points per contest. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has thrown for 3,558 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Running back Jaydn James (1,253 rushing yards, 15 TDs) has been the workhorse on the ground.

Oregon’s offense thrives on balance and efficiency, while their defense has held opponents in check. However, against a team like Ohio State, they’ll need to match firepower with firepower, which could result in a high-scoring affair.

Recent Performance

Ohio State Buckeyes

• 12/21/24: Defeated Tennessee 42-17
• 11/30/24: Lost to Michigan 13-10
• 11/23/24: Defeated Indiana 38-15
• 11/16/24: Defeated Northwestern 31-7
• 11/9/24: Defeated Purdue 45-0

Oregon Ducks

• 12/7/24: Defeated Penn State 45-37
• 11/30/24: Defeated Washington 49-21
• 11/16/24: Defeated Wisconsin 16-13
• 11/9/24: Defeated Maryland 39-18
• 11/2/24: Defeated Michigan 38-17

Head-to-Head Matchup

This will be the latest chapter in the rivalry between Ohio State and Oregon, and both teams have proven capable of scoring big in marquee matchups. Their most recent meeting in the CFP showed a combined 82 points scored, highlighting the potential for another offensive explosion.

Betting Trends

• The over is 5-1 in Oregon’s last six games.
• Ohio State has hit the over in four of their last five games against teams with a winning record.
• The over is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these two teams.
• Both teams are averaging over 35 points per game in their last five contests.

Prediction