Ohio State vs Oregon: Expert Prediction and Updated Odds for the Rose Bowl

• Our expert Ohio State vs Oregon prediction for the Rose Bowl is in
• The latest CFP quarterfinal odds favor the Buckeyes by 2.5 points
• Read on for Ohio State vs Oregon expert predictions, latest odds and betting trends

The most anticipated matchup of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals takes place on New Year’s Day when the undefeated #1 seed Oregon Ducks (13-0) battle the #8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2) in the Rose Bowl. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. ET on ESPN from the iconic Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California.

This high-stakes rematch comes after Oregon escaped Columbus with a thrilling 32-31 victory over Ohio State back on October 12th. The Ducks are looking to prove that win was no fluke and secure a spot in the CFP semifinals, while the Buckeyes are seeking revenge and a signature win to potentially save head coach Ryan Day’s job.

The Buckeyes opened as 1-point favorites, but sharp money has pushed the line to OSU -2.5.

Expert Ohio State vs Oregon Prediction

Both teams enter this game with momentum and elite offenses led by star quarterbacks. Oregon is coming off a bye after defeating Penn State 45-37 to win the Big Ten championship in their first year in the conference. Heisman finalist QB Dillon Gabriel has been sensational all season, throwing for 3,558 yards and 28 TDs.

Ohio State rebounded from their shocking loss to Michigan by demolishing Tennessee 42-17 in the CFP first round. QB Will Howard threw for 311 yards, and the dynamic WR duo of Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka combined for 184 yards and 2 TDs. These two will take center stage in the Rose Bowl.

Dynamic duo 🔥

Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith are the first FBS duo to each record 8 or more Rec TD this season! pic.twitter.com/KEU9KL0M12

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 11, 2024

These explosive offenses put up 963 total yards and 63 points in their regular season shootout, and there’s no reason to expect anything different in the rematch. The total opened at 53.5 and has been bet up to 55.5 by sharp action expecting another high-scoring affair.

The Ducks are tempting as 2.5-point underdogs, but the flood of respected money on Ohio State is concerning. The Buckeyes closed as 3.5-point road favorites in the first meeting. Getting them at less than a field goal at a neutral site has clearly piqued the interest of sharp bettors.

Still, it’s hard to ignore Oregon’s perfect record and big-game experience. The Ducks seem to always rise to the occasion, and they’ll be the most well-rested team in the playoff coming off a bye. Grabbing the points is the play, although the Over is my best Rose Bowl bet.

Rose Bowl Predictions:

• Oregon +2.5 (lean),
• Over 55.5 (best bet)

Updated OSU vs Oregon Odds

Ohio State opened as slim 1-point favorites, but the line was quickly bet up to Buckeyes -2.5 as respected money poured in on OSU. Meanwhile, the total ticked up from 53.5 to 55.5 as sharp bettors expect another shootout.

At the current odds, Ohio State has a 57.7% implied probability to win the game outright, while Oregon is at 42.3% to pull the upset. With nearly 70% of bets on the over, it appears the public is banking on another high-scoring game as well.

It’s rare to see an undefeated #1 seed as an underdog, especially against a team they already beat. This speaks to Ohio State’s pedigree and the respect they command from oddsmakers and professional bettors. Favoring the 11-2 Buckeyes over the 13-0 Ducks is a bold statement.

Odds as of Jan. 1 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Check out our DraftKings Sportsbook review or browse more college football betting sites.

Oregon vs Ohio State Betting Trends

The betting trends support another high-flying, back-and-forth affair between these explosive offenses:

• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ohio State’s last 5 games played in January.
• The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oregon’s last 5 games when playing as the underdog.
• Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
• The total went over 54.5 in the first meeting and 55 in Ohio State’s playoff win over Tennessee.

In the end, the smart money looks to be on the over with two elite offenses squaring off in perfect conditions. Ohio State -2.5 is certainly tempting, but it feels like this line should be closer to a pick’em given Oregon’s undefeated record, prior win over OSU, and extra rest.

The Ducks already won outright as 3.5-point dogs in Columbus. Getting more than a field goal at a neutral site is hard to pass up. Don’t be shocked if Oregon scores another upset on the big stage.

The highly anticipated Rose Bowl matchup between Ohio State and Oregon is set to be a thrilling showdown between two powerhouse college football programs. With both teams boasting impressive records and talented rosters, fans can expect a competitive and exciting game.

Ohio State comes into the Rose Bowl with a 10-2 record, having finished second in the Big Ten East division. Led by head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have a potent offense that ranks among the best in the nation. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has been a standout performer this season, throwing for over 3,800 yards and 38 touchdowns. Running back TreVeyon Henderson has also been a key player for Ohio State, rushing for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns.

On the other side of the field, Oregon enters the Rose Bowl with a 10-3 record and a Pac-12 championship under their belt. Head coach Mario Cristobal has led the Ducks to success this season, with quarterback Anthony Brown and running back Travis Dye leading the charge on offense. Oregon’s defense has also been strong, holding opponents to an average of just 21 points per game.

In terms of betting odds, Ohio State is currently favored to win the Rose Bowl, with the Buckeyes listed as 6.5-point favorites. The over/under for the game is set at 64.5 points, indicating that oddsmakers are expecting a high-scoring affair.

When it comes to expert predictions, many analysts believe that Ohio State has the edge in this matchup. The Buckeyes’ high-powered offense and strong defense are seen as key factors that could lead them to victory. However, Oregon is a talented team in its own right and should not be underestimated.

Ultimately, the Rose Bowl between Ohio State and Oregon is shaping up to be a must-watch game for college football fans. With two top-tier programs facing off in a historic bowl game, anything can happen on game day. Be sure to tune in to see which team comes out on top in this exciting showdown.