Oregon’s flying high as the undefeated #1 team, but let’s not forget—they’ve already been toe-to-toe with Ohio State this season. Back in Week 7, Dan Lanning’s Ducks scraped by with a nail-biter win, 32-31, thanks to a clutch 17-yard field goal in the last seconds. Now, the rematch is set on a bigger stage, and this time, the stakes are sky-high as Colombus’ sky. That perfect record? It’s looking shaky. Ohio State ain’t the same squad they faced earlier—they’ve bounced back hard, steamrolling opponents and fine-tuning their game. So, here’s the million-dollar question: is Oregon ready to prove they’re legit No.1 and their win over Ryan Day’s squad ain’t no fluke, or will Ohio State flip the script and crush Dan Lannings & Oregon’s championship dream?

Oregon’s been cruising through the season, flexing their dominance like it’s a cakewalk. But let’s be real: have they been put into deep waters since that week 7 thriller against Ohio State? Ohio State had Oregon on their nerves on that final drive—until the refs got involved. With the Buckeyes marching down the field, Will Howard looked calm under pressure, setting up what could’ve been a game-winning kick. Then came that call. Jeremiah Smith, Ohio’s star freshman, got flagged for offensive pass interference after barely brushing off Oregon’s Nikko Reed.

If we are being real; it wasn’t even that serious. The 15-yard penalty pushed them back to the Oregon 43, killing their momentum. Howard scrambled for 12 yards on the last play before getting “Lanning-ed”. The time ran out before they could even try the field goal. Just like that, the Ducks escaped with a single-point win, leaving Ohio State and their fans heated.

Fast forward to now, and the Buckeyes aren’t the same team. Sure, they had a stunning 13-10 loss to Michigan, but Ryan Day’s squad has rebounded with a vengeance. Just ask Tennessee, who literally got obliterated 42-17 in the playoffs. Brandon Marcello gave big props, “This game against Tennessee. They went to him often and early, and they pulled away. They weren’t afraid to throw the ball down the field. Were so much more aggressive.” Now, Oregon’s defense has to brace for Tennessee slayer aggressive Will Howard and freshman menace wide-out Jeremiah Smith—who’s got a chip on his shoulder after that Week 7 heartbreak. The Ducks might’ve won round 1, but this rematch is about to crank the intensity to a whole new level.

But here’s the real kicker—Oregon’s biggest advantage is actually their confidence and their faith in Dan Lanning. They’ve been on top all season, and they’ve been loving the view from the top of the rankings. That swagger’s real. But confidence can only take you so far.

As Brandon Marcello said on “The Next Round” podcast, “Ryan Day and crew decided, ‘Hey, let’s go be aggressive and take advantage of the talent we have.” Ohio State’s aggression against Tennessee was a wake-up call—this team has heart and is capable of going all the way, and they’re ain’t holding back now. They found their rhythm. Oregon can’t just sit back and play it safe. Dan Lanning and the Ducks need to be ready for the fight of their life.

Top Comment by Chris Gattman

Oregon is #1 in the country! They are smart and very very fast. 13-0 record proves that. They have no...more

Share your take

Debate

Dave Pollack’s on Dan Lanning’s Oregon vs Ohio state analysis:

David Pollack and Brent Rollins broke it down perfectly on Pollack’s show. Pollack pointed out that Ohio State was just a play or two away from beating Oregon earlier this season, saying, “Ohio State, you could say, ran out of time. Like, they basically ran out of time, and they got ‘Lanning-ed.’” That loss was a back-and-forth battle, but now, with a fully loaded offense and defense, Ohio State’s coming for blood. Then Brent added, “It’s gonna be a back-and-forth, like heavyweight fight between those two rosters and those two teams. And you, especially, when you’re getting the best version of Ohio State.”

Pollack’s right: this is gonna be a clash of the titans. Oregon might be undefeated, but Ohio State had to fight through the fire to get here. The Ducks can’t take their foot off the gas, not with the firepower Ohio State brings. It’s not just about who has the better record—it’s about who shows up when it matters. And Ohio State’s showing up in a big way.

Oregon’s undefeated run has been impressive, but now comes the real test. Ohio State’s hungry, ready to redeem themselves, and they’ve got the talent to do it. The Ducks better bring their A-game because if they think they can waltz into the Rose Bowl and keep cruising, they’re in for a rude awakening. This isn’t just another game—it’s a shot at the National Championship. And with Ohio State hitting on all cylinders, the Ducks better be ready for the battle of their lives.