The 2025 College Football Playoff race took a sharp turn Wednesday night when Ohio State obliterated the previously unbeaten number one team in the nation, Oregon Ducks, 41-21, in a Rose Bowl performance that showcased the Buckeyes’ full potential. This dominant victory should be a wake-up call for any remaining teams standing in their way.
Ohio State is hitting its stride at the perfect time, and they are playing like a team poised to take home the national championship. Here’s why Ohio State’s destruction of Oregon should scare the competition.
Offense Firing on All Cylinders
One of the most terrifying aspects of Ohio State’s performance was their offensive balance and explosiveness. The Buckeyes wasted no time setting the tone against Oregon, scoring on six of their first seven drives. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith led the way with 187 receiving yards and two touchdowns, proving to be an unstoppable force.
Smith had warned everyone that if Oregon played man-to-man defense, he would exploit them — and he delivered. His route running and breakaway speed created mismatches all night, and his chemistry with quarterback Will Howard has made Ohio State’s passing attack lethal.
Howard, who threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns, put on a clinic, making quick decisions and consistently finding his playmakers. His accuracy and poise in the pocket were essential to the Buckeyes’ success.
In fact, his 212 passing yards in the first quarter alone set the tone for a game that would never be in doubt. The Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator Chip Kelly dialed up the perfect game plan, and Howard executed it flawlessly.
The ground game was equally as devastating. TreVeyon Henderson added to the onslaught with 94 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 66-yard sprint that blew the game wide open. Henderson’s ability to break open big plays and run through defenses complements the passing attack, making Ohio State’s offense one of the most complete units in the country.
Defensive Revival
If Ohio State’s offense wasn’t scary enough, their defensive performance should strike fear into their upcoming opponents. After failing to sack Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in their regular-season loss, the Buckeyes made sure that history wouldn’t repeat itself. This time, Ohio State’s defense sacked Gabriel eight times and pressured him throughout the game.
Defensive end Jack Sawyer had the game of his career, registering two sacks, three pass breakups, and a disruptive presence on nearly every play. Sawyer is peaking at just the right time, which could spell disaster for opposing quarterbacks moving forward.
Cody Simon, Ohio State’s linebacker, also had a standout performance with 11 tackles and two sacks. Together with Sawyer, Simon helped shut down Oregon’s offense, limiting them to -23 rushing yards on the day. Ohio State’s front seven was relentless, consistently winning at the line of scrimmage and making Oregon’s run game non-existent.
Oregon’s high-powered offense had no answer for Ohio State’s defense, and if the Buckeyes can replicate that level of dominance in the next round, their path to the national championship looks even clearer.
Peaking at the Right Time
What makes this Ohio State team even scarier is their timing. Earlier in the season, the Buckeyes faced tough losses to Oregon and Michigan, and questions swirled around Ryan Day’s ability to lead the team back to prominence. Fast forward to the playoffs, and Ohio State has transformed into a juggernaut on both sides of the ball. Their redemption arc should terrify the remaining playoff teams.
Day’s leadership has clearly paid off, as his team is playing their best football when it matters most. The 12-team playoff format gave Ohio State the second chance they needed, and they’ve seized it. With the offensive firepower of Howard, Smith, and Henderson, paired with a defense that’s now thriving, Ohio State has all the tools to win the national championship.
A Looming Test Against Texas
Before they can claim the title, Ohio State will face a tough test in Texas, one of the best defensive teams in the country. Texas’ defense finished second in the SEC and is known for its ability to disrupt offenses. However, if Ohio State can carry over the form they displayed against Oregon, they are more than capable of overcoming Texas’ formidable defense.
For now, the message is clear: Ohio State’s destruction of Oregon was no fluke. They are firing on all cylinders and are peaking at just the right time. The competition should be very, very afraid.