Matt Prehm – Oregon 38, Ohio State 31

The first time these two teams met on the field we were given maybe the game of the year. It was in my eyes. I think this game will fall right in line with that one and maybe even be better. Both squads are playing great football and coming into the matchup playing as well as they can on the offensive side of the football. Ohio State certainly is playing better ball on defense coming in, but Oregon’s performance against Penn State doesn’t feel like the norm; it’s more of an aberration in the year. We’ll see. I feel like this Duck defense is being a bit disrespected because of that game, and they should carry a chip on their shoulders.

The No. 1 ranked team and the only team in college football to be undefeated isn’t favored to win in the Rose Bowl, and that’s wild to me. Dan Lanning will use that as motivation, and we’ve seen what a motivated and hungry Duck team can do.

Both teams are Championship worthy and it won’t shock me in the slightest if the national champ emerges from this game. Ohio State has played the more recent game between the two programs, but they’ve also had to show everything they’ve fixed from an end-of-season loss to Michigan in the regular season already. We don’t know what changes and adaptions the Ducks have made since their Big Ten Championship Game win. I think that’s a huge feather in the cap for the Ducks.

Oregon is also the more healthy team coming into Wednesday. The Ducks will be at full strength, something they were not at against Ohio State the first time. The Buckeyes, meanwhile, will be missing key starters along the offensive line from the last time they played.

Ultimately I think this game goes back and forth, both teams will have a second-half lead, but Oregon’s consistent play through 13 games this season, lack of turnovers forced, and timely explosive plays through the air will be what separates the Ducks. I like Oregon’s defensive line getting enough pressure on their own against Ohio State QB Will Howard to allow the defense to drop seven or eight guys into coverage to limit the damage through the air. A timely turnover or a big stop on a 3rd or 4th down late will be the difference.