The Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 1-ranked, undefeated Oregon Ducks clash once again for their second game this season. Only this time, it’s for a chance to march into the College Football Playoff semifinals in what is sure to be a Rose Bowl classic.
The game will take place amid the somber news unfolding in New Orleans as 10 people were killed and more than 30 injured on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. Officials leading the massive efforts that are the Rose Bowl and Rose Parade offered reassurance to those attending the day’s events.
‘The Tournament of Roses and the City of Pasadena extend our deepest sympathies to the people of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans following this morning’s tragic events,” officials said in a statement.
‘The City of Pasadena undergoes months of preparations leading up to the Parade and Game in coordination with our Federal, State, County and Local partners, ‘ the statement continued. ‘We continually train throughout the year with our Tournament of Roses and Rose Bowl Stadium partners for various scenarios.’
Oregon and Ohio State prepare to meet anew. The two programs played in an Oct. 12 showdown that showed what we can expect from the Pasadena grounds at the Rose Bowl.
Ducks QB Dillon Gabriel powered Oregon to a 32-31 win, capped off by a fourth-quarter run for a touchdown that helped keep the program undefeated.
The Ducks enter New Year’s Day still unblemished and still very much with an eye on championship glory. What stands in its way is a motivated and hungry Buckeyes group that still tastes October defeat. It will certainly feed on its most recent victory, a 42-17 demolition of the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Here is everything you need to know about the Rose Bowl, including live updates, highlights and score.
When is the Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Oregon?
The Rose Bowl CFP quarterfinal game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks kicks off at 5 p.m. ET at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
How to watch Ohio State and Oregon in the Rose Bowl
The Rose Bowl game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon Ducks will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
Watch Penn State take on Boise State with a Fubo subscription
Ohio State vs. Oregon: Rose Bowl odds
The Penn State Nittany Lions are favorites to defeat the Boise State Broncos, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Wed., Jan. 1
Spread: Ohio State (-2.5)
Moneyline: Ohio State (-135); Oregon (+115)
Over/under: 55.5
Predictions for Rose Bowl, Ohio State vs. Oregon:
USA TODAY: No. 1 Oregon over Ohio State
Paul Myerberg writes, ‘Oregon’s been here before, scoring a 32-31 win during the regular season, and can use the same blueprint to score a second victory against the Buckeyes. While the Buckeyes can shift this narrative with a strong game against Tennessee, these resemble two teams moving in different directions: Oregon up, Ohio State down. Beating the Ducks would demand a major uptick in production and explosiveness from an offense that has scuffled since late October.’
Cory Pappas, Sports Illustrated: Oregon 31, Ohio State 28
Pappas writes, ‘In their last meeting in October, it came down to the last play, and the same could be true this go around. Despite the game being a much closer proximity to Oregon, Ohio State fans will still travel and the crowd will likely be a 50/50 split. Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel has earned the trust of Ducks fans, and Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard and the Ohio State offense scored at will against Tennessee.’
FOX Sports: Ohio State 26, Oregon 25
FOX Sports believes the Buckeyes have a slight advantage, pointing at Ohio State’s 56.7% chance to win based on implied probability. That said, the Ducks have won each of the last two meetings against Ohio State.
Jaren Kawada, ClutchPoints: Oregon to win
Kawada writes, ‘The biggest discrepancies seem to favor Oregon. It is hard to see [Ohio State quarterback Will] Howard throwing for 300 yards against this secondary a second time, especially with Burch now in the lineup. Oregon should expect a bigger impact from the Buckeyes’ backfield, but Ohio State has not topped 180 rushing yards since losing star tackle Josh Simmons for the year in the first matchup.’
Bowl game picks
Here are USA TODAY Sports’ expert picks for all of the college football bowl games.
Ohio State vs. Oregon all-time record
The Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes have faced each other 11 times in their history. Ohio State owns a 9-2 record in the series.
The Ducks beat the Buckeyes in the most recent match-up, 32-31, on Oct. 12, 2024
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