Ohio State’s Dominant Win Sets Up Anticipated Rematch with Oregon
As the fourth quarter began at the iconic Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio, the atmosphere was electric. The Ohio State fans, known for their passion and fervor, began chanting, “We want Oregon.” It was a clear message that the Buckeyes were ready to move past their current opponent and focus on a much-anticipated rematch.
In the tunnel beneath the Ohio State student section, Rose Bowl staffers were already preparing for the post-game celebration. Red roses were being readied for the locker room, and Brutus, the beloved Ohio State mascot, emerged with the first bouquet in hand. The Buckeyes’ backups still had some time to play before officially sealing their victory over Tennessee, but mentally, the team had already shifted focus to their upcoming clash with Oregon in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal on New Year’s Day.
Ohio State’s emphatic 42-17 victory over the Volunteers in the first round of the College Football Playoff was a statement. It set the stage for a second showdown with the Ducks, who had previously defeated the Buckeyes 32-31 in Eugene on October 12. That game was a pivotal moment in Oregon’s journey to an undefeated regular season, a Big Ten championship, and the CFP’s No. 1 overall seed.
The Buckeyes had every opportunity to win that October matchup. However, a controversial offensive pass interference call against star freshman wideout Jeremiah Smith pushed Ohio State out of field goal range. Quarterback Will Howard then made a puzzling decision to slide as time expired, ending the game at the Oregon 26-yard line.
“We’ve all been looking forward to this one and for another crack at these guys,” Howard said, a rose stem clenched between his teeth as he congratulated teammates after the victory over Tennessee. “The way that last one ended doesn’t sit right with me. It still bugs me.”
Ohio State’s Defensive Transformation
Since their first encounter with Oregon, the Ohio State defense has undergone a remarkable transformation. In that initial game, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns. Ohio State’s defensive front failed to sack him even once and managed to generate pressure only twice. Oregon’s wide receivers consistently won their one-on-one matchups, particularly against cornerback Denzel Burke, resulting in a series of big plays.
However, since that game, the Buckeyes have been a dominant force. They now rank No. 1 nationally in fewest yards allowed per play (3.8), yards given up per game (234.4), and points surrendered per game (11.7).
“We’re looking forward to the opportunity because it was not a great game for us,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said of the first Oregon outing. “Quite frankly, the guys got pissed off and it led to a run for us. They used that game as motivation.”
Offensive Firepower on Display
Ohio State’s explosive offense came out with a point to prove on Saturday night, following a lackluster performance in their regular-season finale, a 13-10 loss to Michigan. The Buckeyes demonstrated their potential when, as offensive coordinator Chip Kelly put it, they were “clicking on all cylinders.”
Facing one of the SEC’s top defenses, Ohio State scored touchdowns on their first three drives. Tennessee struggled to contain Smith, who scored two touchdowns and recorded a game-high 103 receiving yards. The Volunteers also had difficulty tackling running back TreVeyon Henderson, who amassed 134 yards of offense and two scores.
“We called this game more aggressively — there’s no question about that,” coach Ryan Day said. “But also, I think we did some things that maximized what we have in terms of our strengths and minimized our deficiencies.”
- Ohio State’s offense is at its best when aggressive.
- Howard completed 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards.
- Smith and wideout Emeka Egbuka formed a formidable receiving duo.
Howard responded to the challenge and his poor play against Michigan by completing 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards. His lone interception came on Ohio State’s fourth drive with the Buckeyes already up 21-0. Howard attempted to zip a pass to Smith at the back of the end zone. Officials could have called defensive pass interference on Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter, who was draped all over Smith. Instead, Tennessee’s Will Brooks managed to corral the tipped ball for the pick before crashing out of bounds.
“I liked the call, I liked how aggressive we were,” Day said. “When you call the game aggressively, something like [that] happens. You have to be willing to live with it.”
The contrast between these past two games highlighted how Ohio State’s offense thrives when it’s aggressive. Combine that with a defense playing as well as any in college football, and it’s easy to see why the Buckeyes will head to Pasadena with revenge on their mind — and a national championship run in their sights.
“Yeah, I’m excited, man,” Howard said. “We’re going to go out there and have some fun and let it rip.”
Originally Written by: Jake Trotter
