On Wednesday January 1st at 5 pm eastern time, the 8th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes traveled to Pasadena California to play the number 1 ranked Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl. This was a rematch from last October when Oregon defeated Ohio State 32-31 in Oregon. Ohio State’s last game was the first-round college football playoff win at home against Tennessee 42-17. Oregon’s last game was the Big Ten Championship Game win over Penn State 45-37 on December 7th. The Buckeyes were 2.5-point favorites in this game even though Oregon was ranked higher. And much like against Tennessee, the Ohio State Buckeyes played like a team that was still angry about the loss to Michigan.

Right out of the gate and within the first minute of the game, Will Howard connected on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith. The Ohio State onslaught continued against Oregon through the first two quarters of the game. Ohio State led 34-0 with three minutes remaining in the first half. Oregon managed a late second quarter touchdown and two-point conversion to trail the Buckeyes at halftime 34-8. In the second half the Buckeyes coasted and managed the game. Oregon was able to score 13 second half points and Ohio State did get a touchdown in the third quarter to keep the game out of reach for the Ducks. In the end Ohio State prevailed over Oregon 41-21. Will Howard had an MVP like performance going 17-26, for 319 yards, and 3 touchdowns. Jeremiah Smith had 7 receptions for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns. This Ohio State team is getting hot at the right time.

Up next for the Ohio State Buckeyes is a trip to Arlington Texas to play the third ranked Texas Longhorns in the College Football Playoff Semi Final Cotton Bowl on Friday January 10th at 7:30 pm eastern time. Texas won the Peach Bowl in overtime over Arizona State 39-31 to advance to this game. Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has shown growth and learning this season with this win.  One thing Texas is going to learn on January 10th, is that Ohio State is not Arizona State.