Ohio State had taken everything else from the Ducks over the course of a remarkable Wednesday afternoon.
The outcome propelled eighth-seeded Ohio State into a matchup with Texas next week, eliminated the top-seeded Ducks and undoubtedly left one interested onlooker with mixed emotions.
In one regard, Petitti is probably delighted: Penn State will join Ohio State in the semifinals after a decisive victory over Boise State on Tuesday in the Fiesta Bowl.
Ohio State would have been the No.
• The scores of Oregon’s last two playoff games are as follows: Ohio State 42, Ducks 20 (2014 championship) Ohio State 41, Ducks 21 (2024 quarterfinals) The opponent is part of the problem, of course — Ohio State is as talented as any team in the country on an annual basis.
PASADENA, CA. — “Shout,” the well-known Animal House song that is played at every Oregon home game, was shouted by the Rose Bowl sound system two minutes into the fourth quarter. As the sun set behind the San Gabriels and the shadows lengthened, tens of thousands of green-clad fans sang in unison. However, Oregon’s players either remained still or huddled in silence with their coaches.
In contrast, Ohio State’s standout defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau recognized “Shout” right away and started dancing to the tunes across the field.
It had been an incredible Wednesday afternoon, and Ohio State had taken everything else away from the Ducks. Why not also appropriate their cherished custom?
In the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, the team that did not compete for the Big Ten title beat the conference champions 41-21, which was much more lopsided than the score indicates.
The results eliminated the top-seeded Ducks, sent eighth-seeded Ohio State into a game against Texas the following week, and surely left one curious spectator feeling conflicted.
A conference spokesperson stated that Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti was present at the game but was not available for interviews. Therefore, we must speculate as to his response.
Petitti is likely happy about one thing: Penn State’s resounding victory over Boise State in Tuesday’s Fiesta Bowl will put them in the semifinals alongside Ohio State.
However, it’s possible that Petitti left the Rose Bowl feeling irritated that his conference was unable to field a third team in the semifinals and that Oregon and Ohio State were paired against one another due to a flawed CFP process that gives conference titles priority.
The quarterfinal matchup between the Ducks and Buckeyes would not have been an elimination game if the CFP selection committee had seeded the 12 teams according to the final rankings.
The No. would have gone to Ohio State. Not the No, but the 6 seed. 8. and played Texas in the quarterfinals. And as the No. 1 seed, Oregon would have played the No. 1 seed winner. Boise State or Indiana in an 8–9 game.
Penn State, which would have been the No. 1 seed, and the Buckeyes and Ducks both had a chance to make it to the semifinals. 4th seed in a bracket according to rankings.
In three weeks, Petitti and the other conference commissioners who comprise the CFP management committee will meet in Atlanta.
It makes sense that Petitti would advocate for the format modification. Over time, the ACC, Big 12, and Group of Five champions are probably going to be ranked lower than the top teams in the Big Ten.
Our suspicion is that SEC commissioner Greg Sankey will support Petitti, possibly in return for Petitti’s backing on the issue that Sankey cares about the most.
The other FBS conferences would have to agree with the Big Ten and SEC to make format changes in time for the upcoming season (and Notre Dame).
With the 2026 postseason, however, that is not the case. There isn’t a standard format. There are no requirements for unanimity. With ESPN’s approval, of course, the Big Ten and SEC can impose any changes they want.
The top priority might be to do away with the seed preference granted to conference winners.
The Rose Bowl’s other responses.
• The Ducks appeared far more sluggish and uncoordinated than they have throughout the season. The 24-day break obviously affected their performance.
Historically, that has been the case for many playoff teams. The problem is not unique to Oregon. Rust and heavy legs are the results of the layoff.
This time, the difference was that Oregon’s opponent did not have a 24-day intermission. Eleven days ago, the Buckeyes participated in the first round of the CFP.
Put differently, the No. When playing the No. 1 overall seed, the first seed was at a competitive disadvantage. 8.
That has to change, too.
(Note: Lower-seeded opponents who played ten or eleven days ago outscored the higher-seeded quarterfinalists with multi-week breaks, Oregon, Boise State, and Arizona State, 42-3, in the first quarter. ).
• These are the results of Oregon’s last two playoff games.
Ducks 20, Ohio State 42 (2014 championship).
Ducks 21; Ohio State 41 (2024 quarterfinals).
Of course, the opponent is a contributing factor; Ohio State consistently has the best talent in the nation. The Ducks are still aiming for a national championship for their 86-year-old benefactor Phil Knight, but the end goal has not changed.
Was their best chance in 2024?
Definitely and no.
The combination of this team’s skill, coaching, experience, and situation was exceptional. In addition to taking advantage of Michigan’s poor season, the Ducks were more equipped for Big Ten life than Washington and USC.
However, there is a chance that a slightly weaker regular season will result in a more successful postseason; adjustments to the CFP format, the elimination of the 24-day break, and the lack of the pressure of an undefeated season could all lead to an unexpected postseason run.
The playoff expansion has produced a March Madness-like tournament atmosphere where momentum can come at any time and dynamics are unpredictable.
Remember: They were a No. the year the Ducks made it to the Final Four. 3 seeds.
