Rose Bowl 2025: Odds, Box Score Prediction for Ohio State vs. Oregon

It might feel to many as if the wrong team is favored here. That’s because it is.

Look, Ohio State is really good. The defense is about as stingy as it gets, and the offense can pop from almost any position. Freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith is already a superstar, while senior receiver Emeka Egbuka won’t wait long to hear his name called at the upcoming NFL draft. Running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson could both be off the board by the end of Day Two.

But Oregon already beat this team once. Just like it beat everyone on its schedule.

Senior quarterback Dillon Gabriel was comically productive (28 passing touchdowns, seven rushing scores) while taking third in the Heisman Trophy voting. He helped activate all aspects of this offense, which featured a 1,200-yard rusher (Jordan James), three receivers with 600-plus yards (Tez Johnson, Evan Stewart and Traeshon Holden) and a tight end who averaged nearly 14 yards on his 38 catches (Terrance Ferguson).

The defense may have bent on occasion, but it never broke. Sophomore defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei may have broken some opponents, though, while racking up 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.

This feels like a coin flip that could and very well may come down to which offense has the ball last. Still, the Ducks should be slight favorites in our eyes, and maybe the fact they aren’t will be what gives them that final push to edge past the Buckeyes once again.

Prediction: Oregon 34, Ohio State 31

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