You remember how Eugene felt in October. That damp, deafening roar at Autzen Stadium when Dillon Gabriel scrambled, the clock bled out, and Will Howard’s slide came just a heartbeat too late. It was a 32-31 heartbreaker that felt like a permanent stamp on the 2024 season. But college football in 2025 doesn't work like it used to. Because of the new playoff format, a regular-season loss is often just the opening act.
If you’re looking for the definitive answer on who won Ohio State or Oregon, you have to look at the scoreboard from Pasadena on New Year’s Day 2025.
Ohio State won. And honestly, it wasn't even close the second time around.
Who Won Ohio State or Oregon: The Rose Bowl Reckoning
When these two titans met again in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, the vibe was completely different. The Ducks walked into the Rose Bowl as the No. 1 seed, undefeated and looking like the team of destiny. Ohio State? They were the No. 8 seed, still licking their wounds from a late-season loss to Michigan and carrying the weight of "what ifs."
The final score was 41-21 in favor of the Buckeyes.
It was a total "hit 'em in the mouth" moment from the first whistle. Ryan Day’s squad didn't just win; they essentially dismantled the Ducks' defensive game plan by the end of the first quarter. By the time the halftime snacks were being passed around, the Buckeyes had hung 34 points on the board. Oregon, usually so explosive, looked stuck in second gear.
How the Buckeyes Flipped the Script
In their first meeting in October 2024, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel was the hero, throwing for 341 yards and keeping the Buckeyes' defense off-balance with quick RPOs. Fast forward to January 1, 2025. The Ohio State defensive line, led by a relentless Cody Simon, treated the Oregon pocket like a revolving door.
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Gabriel was sacked eight times. Eight.
You can't win big games when your Heisman-finalist quarterback is spending half the night staring at the grass.
On the other side of the ball, Jeremiah Smith happened. The freshman wideout played like a man among boys. He finished the Rose Bowl with 187 yards and two scores on just seven catches. Every time Will Howard needed a release valve, Smith was there, making acrobatic grabs that made the 90,000-plus in attendance collectively gasp.
The Game That Actually Defined the Season
While the Rose Bowl was the big "revenge" game, we can't ignore that 32-31 thriller in Eugene. That was the night Oregon proved they belonged in the Big Ten.
It was a back-and-forth street fight with seven lead changes. Oregon’s Evan Stewart was a nightmare for the OSU secondary that night, racking up 149 yards. It’s a bit of a "what could have been" for Ducks fans, as Stewart was actually out for the Rose Bowl rematch with a back injury. You have to wonder if his absence was the missing piece that let the Buckeyes play so aggressively in the secondary during the playoff.
Honestly, the contrast between the two games is wild.
- Game 1 (October 12, 2024): Oregon 32, Ohio State 31.
- Game 2 (January 1, 2025): Ohio State 41, Oregon 21.
The Buckeyes took the lesson of the first loss and turned it into a masterclass in Pasadena. They used the 12-team playoff format exactly how it was intended: as a way to prove that the best team in October isn't always the best team when the trophies are actually on the line.
Key Stats That Tell the Real Story
If you look at the box scores, the rushing yards tell the ugliest tale for the Ducks. In the Rose Bowl, Oregon finished with -23 rushing yards. That isn't a typo. Between the sacks and the Buckeyes stuffing the run, Oregon’s ground game was non-existent.
Ohio State, meanwhile, leaned on TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. Henderson’s 66-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was basically the dagger. It made the score 31-0, and you could see the air leave the Oregon sideline.
What This Means for the Future
This rivalry is the new "it" thing in the Big Ten. Sorry, Michigan and Penn State, but the Buckeyes and Ducks are operating on a different level of talent right now.
Oregon showed they can win the tactical battle at home. Ohio State showed they have the raw depth and "angry" gear needed to dominate a neutral site playoff game. Following this win, Ohio State went on to beat Texas and eventually Notre Dame to claim the 2025 National Championship.
So, while Oregon has the Big Ten trophy in their cabinet from that 2024 season, Ohio State has the ring.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Replays: If you want to see the future of the NFL, watch the tape on Jeremiah Smith from the Rose Bowl. His route running as a freshman is basically a coaching clinic.
- Track the Transfer Portal: Both teams are heavily reliant on veteran transfer QBs (Will Howard and Dillon Gabriel). Keep an eye on how Dan Lanning and Ryan Day reload for the 2026 season.
- Mark the Calendar: These two aren't scheduled to play in the 2025 regular season, which means the next time they meet will likely be in Indianapolis or back in the playoffs.
The short answer is Ohio State won the one that mattered most, but the long answer is that this rivalry is just getting started. It’s a game of adjustments, and right now, the ball is back in Oregon's court to see how they respond to being "hit in the mouth" on the national stage.