The Rose Bowl is as intriguing as ever on Wednesday because the No. 1 Oregon Geese and eighth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes put together for a colossal showdown within the CFP quarterfinals.
Forward of the matchup, the groups went by means of their media availabilities. Regardless of the 32-31 win over the Buckeyes on Oct. 12, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is specializing in one key space of enchancment within the rematch.
For Lanning, the Geese have to convert on extra of their red-zone alternatives after lacking a area aim and botching a snap within the first assembly with Ohio State.
“There’s a variety of moments in these video games that we might have been higher. I feel that is one of many greatest issues I walked away with,” Lanning said on Monday, per 247 Sports activities’ Jared Mack. “That is an space we are able to definitely enhance and be higher.”
Oregon had two TDs in 5 red-zone journeys within the October win. If the Geese can get as many possibilities on Wednesday, they have to discover a option to take benefit, given Ohio State leads the FBS in scoring protection, permitting 11.4 factors per recreation. Ohio State additionally leads the nation in whole protection (242.2 YPG) and move protection (141.2 YPG).
The Buckeyes deliver a dynamic two-headed punch at vast receiver with Jeremiah Smith (1,037 yards, 12 TDs) and Emeka Egbuka (824 yards, 9 TDs) main the group. QB Will Howard handed for a season-high 326 yards with two TDs within the first assembly in opposition to the Geese however finally waited too lengthy to slip and let the time run out on the finish of the sport.
Lanning is nicely conscious of the problem Ohio State (11-2) poses. Per Oregon beat reporter James Crepea, Lanning mentioned, “It is actually laborious to search out weaknesses in Ohio State.”
This would be the first postseason assembly between the brand new Massive Ten foes since they confronted off within the inaugural CFP nationwide championship within the 2014 season.
Oregon (13-0) is coming off a 45-37 win over Penn State to win the Massive Ten title in its debut season. The Geese are going to want environment friendly QB Dillon Gabriel (86.7 QBR), second within the nation, RB Jordan James (1,253 yards, 15 TDs) and WR Tez Johnson (866 yards, 10 TDs) to keep up their stellar play if the Geese are going to advance within the CFP.
Lanning’s feedback present that Oregon is aware of what it’s going up in opposition to in an epic Rose Bowl showdown on Wednesday.
