The second-round College Football Playoff matchup between the No. 1 Oregon Ducks and the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes is the rematch that college football fans have been anticipating all season. On New Year’s Day, the game will be played at the Rose Bowl, where the winner will play the Arizona State Sun Devils or the Texas Longhorns. The Ducks’ 32-31 triumph in the last seconds of the season back in October was one of the season’s best games, so this isn’t the first time Oregon and Ohio State have faced each other this year. This playoff matchup is quite important, and many people are curious about how closely the game plans from January 1st will resemble those from October 12.
An Ohio State beat reporter questioned Oregon head coach Dan Lanning during his Rose Bowl news conference on Monday morning about how difficult it was to defeat a club twice and what his strategy will be different this time. Lanning, who has a history of occasionally being blunt with the media, gave a somewhat sarcastic response. “You said you’re from Columus, right?” Lanning inquired. “You’re stating that you desire our strategy? Yes, exactly the same thing will be done by us. “First call, every play.” Media participants in the virtual news conference laughed a little at the sarcasm. Lanning answered the question thoughtfully, even though it was clear he was kidding. “I mean, you look at what worked, you look at what didn’t work, you look at how your teams change, and you try to play again through your strengths, you look at how your opponent’s teams change,” Lanning stated. “So there’s going to be some differences in this game from the last game, for sure.” Despite being the top team in the country, undefeated at 13-0, and having defeated the Buckeyes earlier this season, the Ducks are early underdogs in this matchup. Ohio State is favored by 2.5 points, according to sportsbooks nationwide.