Staff picks, final thoughts for Buckeyes vs. Ducks in CFP at Rose Bowl
LOS ANGELES — After months of wanting a second matchup between Ohio State and Oregon, the Rose Bowl quarterfinal in the College Football Playoff is finally here.
Lettermen Row has made its staff picks, given some final thoughts ahead of the matchup and even dished out one final bold prediction for the Buckeyes vs. Oregon in a primetime quarterfinal College Football Playoff showdown inside the Rose Bowl. Let’s dive in.
Staff picks for Ohio State vs. Oregon
Spencer Holbrook: Buckeyes 34, Oregon 30
Tim May: Ohio State 34, Oregon 24
Mick Walker: Buckeyes 42, Oregon 38
Alex Gleitman: Ohio State 27, Oregon 24
Two final thoughts ahead of Buckeyes vs. Ducks
Caleb Downs experience in Rose Bowl could be pivotal
Remember the first play of the Rose Bowl semifinal last year, when then-Alabama safety and freshman All-American Caleb Downs picked off a JJ McCarthy pass in the game against Michigan. Of course, that play was reversed after it was reviewed — and determined Downs didn’t have a foot in bounds. But the point remains that Downs has legit College Football Playoff experience at the Rose Bowl. Does that give him some extra motivation after he and the Tide lost that first Rose Bowl he played in? It remains to be seen. But expect Downs to come in and play his best for the Buckeyes on Wednesday.
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Will Howard can go down in Ohio State history
Want to make history, Will Howard? Win the Rose Bowl in a rematch against Oregon and then get a chance to win the next two games. Howard has been really good for the Buckeyes this season, but he didn’t have a signature win in which he played his best prior to the Tennessee game. Now he has a chance to have an all-time performance in the Rose Bowl and fuel the Buckeyes into the CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl. Howard has an extremely unique opportunity Wednesday. Will he take it?
One final prediction for Ohio State vs. Oregon
Ryan Day rolls the dice
Ohio State needs Ryan Day to be at his absolute best on Wednesday evening in the Rose Bowl. In the first matchup between Ohio State and Oregon, Day was aggressive. Ducks coach Dan Lanning was diabolical. Day needs a streak of that Wednesday if Ohio State is going to find a way to hand Oregon its first loss of the season and find its way into the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl.
