PASADENA, Calif. — Not even the “Granddaddy of Them All” can stay unchanged by the 12-team Faculty Soccer Playoff.
No. 1 Oregon and No. 6 Ohio State arrived in Southern California solely three days earlier than their showdown Wednesday within the 111th version of the Rose Bowl Recreation — and each groups firmly declare they’re on a enterprise journey, since this beloved postseason occasion is now a CFP quarterfinal hopefully main to 2 extra video games.
The Geese (13-0, CFP No. 1 seed) and the Buckeyes (11-2, CFP No. 8 seed) had no time to make the Rose Bowl groups’ conventional journey to Disneyland, which implies there are not any photographs of stern-faced soccer coaches shaking palms with Mickey Mouse. There’s additionally no Beef Bowl, the annual journey to a famed Beverly Hills restaurant the place hundreds of kilos of prime rib have been shoveled into the bottomless stomachs of hungry linemen since 1956.
The pregame pageantry could also be curtailed, however just a few issues concerning the oldest bowl sport merely can’t change: New 12 months’s Day nonetheless dawns with the venerable Rose Parade, adopted by soccer performed by a well-known sundown.
“When you’re at the Rose Bowl, you’re on sensory overload,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day mentioned Tuesday. “The grass is greener. The sky is bluer. The sun is more yellow. It’s just a beautiful setting. But once the foot hits the ball, it’s time to go play. Anybody who knows playoff football, the intensity just gets ratcheted up. The electricity in that stadium will be special.”
In a lucky coincidence for Pasadena traditionalists, the sport that matched the champions of the Large Ten and the Pac-12 for many years lucked into an optimum geographic matchup as soon as once more.
And on this rematch of the most effective video games of 2024, Oregon and Ohio State hope to start out 2025 by making a traditional within the CFP’s most anticipated quarterfinal matchup.
Many observers assume the Geese and the Buckeyes are the 2 greatest groups within the nation, and any frustration from the unbeaten Geese about drawing such a tough matchup so early of their quest for his or her first nationwide title is overridden by pleasure.
“It’s certainly a different landscape this year because of how bowl games are set up, but the Rose Bowl has been first-class in every way,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning mentioned. “Growing up as a kid, you (hope to) be part of games like this. This is one we’re really thrilled to compete in.”
Second likelihood
Earlier than the 12-team playoff, groups hardly ever bought an opportunity to appropriate a mistake or avenge a heartbreaking loss later in a season. This postseason format will increase the prospect for rematches, and that’s precisely what the Buckeyes bought.
One Ohio State participant specifically nonetheless thinks about that 32-31 loss in Eugene. Quarterback Will Howard drove the Buckeyes downfield within the last 1:47 and scrambled into field-goal vary, however he didn’t slide down earlier than the clock ran out.
“It’s like, how much do you focus on that, but not let it affect you?” Howard mentioned. “I mean, I still have nightmares about that play. I still run it over in my head. What could I have done better? Now I get a chance to go out there and right the wrong from that game. You don’t get second chances a lot in life. I’m thankful that we even get a chance to go out there and play these guys again. We’ll keep it in the back of our heads. It’s a new game. We’re both very different teams than we were back then, you know. But that hasn’t left my head.”
Oregon went on to win the Large Ten championship in its debut season, whereas Ohio State didn’t even make the league title sport after getting upset by Michigan. Meaning the Buckeyes had three weeks off earlier than their opening-round CFP rout of Tennessee, whereas the Geese have had the previous 3 1/2 weeks off with their first-round bye.
Large manufacturing
Though each groups boast formidable defenses, no person can be stunned by an offensive shootout led by skilled quarterbacks Howard and Dillon Gabriel. Ohio State is averaging 36.0 factors per sport, whereas Oregon is placing up 35.9.
The Geese’ offense depends on an improved offensive line to clear paths for main rusher Jordan James and to offer time for Gabriel to search out prime receiver Tez Johnson amid the Buckeyes’ inconsistent secondary. Oregon’s line improved sharply in September when it moved Iapani Laloulu to heart.
“He’s really the glue up front,” Oregon offensive coordinator Will Stein mentioned. “Poncho (Laloulu’s middle name) up front at center, I think, has really solidified us and brought back that physicality at center that Jackson (Powers-Johnson) had last year for us. These guys are ready. They’re prepared.”