On January 1st, New Years Day, at 5 pm eastern time, the 6th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will travel to Pasadena California to the play the top ranked Oregon Ducks in the 2025 Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes are a 2.5-point underdog in this game. The last time these two teams played each other it came down to the wire in Oregon last October. Oregon won the game in a thriller 32-31. Ohio State earned this rematch with an impressive 42-17 win over the 7th ranked Tennessee Volunteers on December 21st. Can the Buckeyes replicate their performance against Oregon?

The Ohio State team that took field against Tennessee played like a team that was angry. This was due to their embarrassing loss to the Michigan Wolverines 13-10 on November 30th. This Ohio State team is hungry to win, and they can beat Oregon. The Tennessee score could have been more lopsided if it weren’t for an amazing defensive play by Tennessee in the endzone to get the interception and touchback. Despite the interception Will Howard had a great game against the Volunteers. He went 24/29 for 311 yards, and two touchdowns. He will have to do that again on New Years Day.

Let’s not forget Buckeyes’ receiver Jeremiah Smith’s game against Tennessee as well. He had 6 catches for 103 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Both him and Will Howard will have to play their best along with the Ohio State defense to win this game. Expect good games from Jack Sawyer, Caleb Downs, and Cody Simon for the Buckeyes to win the Rose Bowl. This Ohio State team was left with bad taste in their mouth after the Michigan loss. The only thing that can remove it is a National Championship. To get that they have beat Oregon. And that will probably keep head coach Ryan Day employed for another season.