Rose Bowl 2025: Ducks vs. Buckeyes

In their first season in the Big Ten, the Oregon Ducks earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff (CFP). Now, under head coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks are poised to begin their title pursuit, coming off a first-round bye. But the CFP bracket has set them up for a tough challenge, as they will face the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinals at the 2025 Rose Bowl this week.

Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer

In their first season in the Big Ten, the Oregon Ducks earned the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff (CFP). Now, under head coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks are poised to begin their title pursuit, coming off a first-round bye. But the CFP bracket has set them up for a tough challenge, as they will face the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinals at the 2025 Rose Bowl this week.

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel will lead the Ducks as they look to avenge their narrow 32-31 victory over Ohio State earlier in the regular season, a battle that proved to be one of their toughest tests of the year.

CFP Tennessee Ohio St Football Jeremiah Smith hauls one in vs the Vols (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

On the other side, Ohio State is led by freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith, who made history as the only freshman selected to the Walter Camp First-Team All-American list.

“A lot of people have told me I was going to be great since high school,” Smith said. “Football is all I know, and it’s all I really want to do. I live, breathe, sleep football. That’s all I care about. I don’t care about anything outside of football. I just want to play football for the rest of my life.”

Smith isn’t coming to the Rose Bowl to make a name for himself—he’s already done that. This game is just another chance to prove what everyone already knows about him. The first-round of the playoff was simply a reminder of his immense talent. It’s also a reminder to the Ohio State coaching staff that they can’t afford to waste his potential in a game this big.