In the crisp air of Pasadena, as the Rose Bowl looms on New Year’s Day, Oregon stands poised to exploit Ohio State’s fatal flaw: a defensive vulnerability that has long been hidden beneath their offensive brilliance. The Buckeyes, typically a juggernaut on both sides of the ball, have faced increasing struggles in slowing down high-tempo, versatile offenses—a gap Oregon has meticulously analyzed and is ready to attack.
The Buckeyes’ defensive line, a supposed fortress of speed and strength, has shown cracks throughout the season. While the front four is explosive in terms of getting after the quarterback, their consistency in setting the edge and preventing big runs has been questionable. Oregon, with their dynamic running back committee and a play-action game that thrives off misdirection, could expose this chink in Ohio State’s armor. Ducks head coach Dan Lanning has built his offense around balance, but the opportunity for a dominant ground game will be too tempting to pass up. Ohio State’s linebackers, despite being athletic, have occasionally been caught out of position, leaving huge lanes for backs like Bucky Irving to burst through.
More troubling for Ohio State is the way their secondary has struggled to adapt to fast-paced offenses. Cornerbacks, while gifted with athleticism, have been prone to misreads and blown coverages, especially when tasked with covering quick-hitting slants or deep vertical routes. Oregon’s quarterback, Bo Nix, has shown tremendous poise in pushing the ball downfield and taking advantage of soft spots in defenses. With star receivers like Troy Franklin running sharp routes and exploiting the slightest lapse in coverage, Nix will find the cracks in Ohio State’s defense and exploit them relentlessly. The Buckeyes’ defensive backs, sometimes caught looking into the backfield, could find themselves outmatched by the precision and speed of Oregon’s passing attack.
However, it isn’t just the Buckeyes’ defense that Oregon will target—it’s their reliance on being dominant in the trenches. The Buckeyes’ offensive line, though powerful, has struggled against aggressive, well-coached defensive units. Oregon’s defense, under the guidance of Lanning’s physical brand of coaching, has excelled at disrupting offensive lines and making quarterbacks uncomfortable. Ohio State’s quarterback, Kyle McCord, has shown flashes of brilliance but can be rattled under pressure. With Oregon’s linebackers—particularly Noah Sewell—capable of blitzing from anywhere, McCord will have little time to make clean decisions. As the pocket collapses, mistakes will follow, and Oregon’s secondary, bolstered by standout players, will capitalize on any misfires.
Yet, what could be Ohio State’s ultimate undoing is their overreliance on explosiveness rather than consistency. While they boast a high-powered offense capable of scoring in a blink, their lack of patience and tendency to push for big plays too often leaves them vulnerable. Oregon, disciplined and methodical, thrives in games where they can control tempo. Their ability to sustain long drives and dictate the pace will force Ohio State to adapt, and that is where the Buckeyes’ fatal flaw could become their downfall. If the Ducks can control the clock and limit Ohio State’s possessions, their defense, even if not perfect, will stand a much better chance of containing the Buckeyes’ weapons.
In the end, the Rose Bowl will hinge on Oregon’s ability to exploit Ohio State’s defensive instability—particularly in the trenches and secondary. If the Ducks can execute their game plan, leaning into their strengths while attacking Ohio State’s weaknesses, they will turn this historic matchup into a stunning upset, silencing the critics and marking a new chapter for Oregon football.
