Everyone loves a good prediction and you’ve probably seen more than you can shake a Buckeye tree branch at when it comes to the College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup between Ohio State and Oregon. But that’s OK, hopefully, you have room for more because we like to ask our writers to weigh in on what they think will happen with every Buckeye football game.
And … seeing how there’s a pretty monumental game at hand with Ohio State looking to even the score after losing a heartbreaker to the Ducks in October out in the Pacific Northwest, we’re motivated to give you our prognostications and predictions for a pretty classic Rose Bowl matchup this time around too.
So, what do Phil, Mark, Josh, and Nathan have to say about who will walk away a winner and punch their ticket to a semifinal CFP matchup in the Cotton Bowl? We’re glad you asked because here’s how each on our Buckeyes Wire staff sees the game playing out.
Phil Harrison, Featured Lead Writer
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What will happen
Ohio State will come out swinging, and so will Oregon. The Buckeye coaching staff has learned to get things on the outside, down the field, and in space to its playmakers on offense and that’ll continue in Pasadena. However, the Ducks have shown an ability to finish close games with some intangibles OSU seems to lack. It’ll be another classic at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, but Oregon will get a late score to sadly send Ohio State home with another crushing defeat in a game that isn’t as high scoring as you would think because of defensive adjustments from the game in October.
The Prediction | Oregon 27, Ohio State 24
Mark Russell, Featured Writer
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
What will happen
I see this one going in a similar fashion the the treat we had in Eugene. A hard fought, slug fest that will have several lead changes. The difference this time is no home field advantage for the Ducks. The Buckeye coaching staff learns from past mistakes and ends Oregon’s perfect season to move on to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.
The Prediction | Ohio State 31, Oregon 27
Josh Keatley, Featured Writer
USA TODAY SMG
What will happen
Ohio State only lost to this Oregon squad by one point on its home turf. Playing at a neutral site will only help the Buckeyes. The two main reasons OSU struggled the last time these two met were Denzel Burke and the offensive line, but this O-line looked downright dominant against a great Tennessee front and the pass rush is much improved which should help Burke in coverage. I think Ohio State has found its groove.
The Prediction | Ohio State 35, Oregon 21
Nathan Beighle, Featured Writer
USA TODAY SMG
What will happen
The Buckeyes figure things out on the neutral-field battle. Their secondary should be better this time around, and they will be riding high after a win versus Tennessee. Oregon may struggle out of the gate without playing for a few weeks. Expect Will Howard to be ready for the moment.
The Prediction | Ohio State 31, Oregon 23
Don Smalley, Ducks Wire Featured Writer
USA TODAY SMG
What will happen
I expect another epic game between these two teams. I really think if Oregon wins this, they win the title. Ohio State is the toughest opponent in these playoffs. Atticus Sappington will hit a FG as time runs out and the Ducks win.
The Prediction | Oregon 27, Ohio State 24
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
