Ohio State’s Rose Bowl matchup with Oregon on Wednesday features no shortage of star players on either side.
These are arguably the two best teams in college football, and the country is highly anticipating a rematch from the Ducks’ 32-31 win in October. The outcome of this contest will be determined by many wide-ranging factors, but some players will have more of a spotlight on them than others in this contest.
We’ve picked out 12 players — six from each side — who could have the biggest impact on Wednesday’s game and highlighted them below.
Denzel Burke
There’s no more obvious answer here than Burke, who had his worst career game against Oregon in October. He allowed a catch on every throw his way and was torched for more than 120 receiving yards, including on passes that stretched the field. To put out a massive understatement, he’ll need to be better the second time around. In fairness to Burke, he’s played much better since then, and has been circling this game on his calendar for a long time. Unlike the first time around though, if Burke struggles again, it’s a good bet Jermaine Mathews Jr. will be subbed in to cover Oregon’s talented wideouts. Mathews will probably play some regardless, but especially if Burke struggles again.
Jordan Burch
The only two wins Oregon has against Ohio State in this series came when the Ducks were missing a star pass rusher. Kayvon Thibodeaux missed the game in Columbus in 2021, and Burch was held out against the Buckeyes in October. With Burch set to play against Ohio State on Wednesday, it has to be seen as a good omen for the Buckeyes, right? I kid, I kid (I think). Anyhow, Burch is either Oregon’s best or second-best pass rusher, as he racked up 8.5 sacks this season. He makes a deadly combination with Matayo Uiagalelei, who had 10.5 sacks in his own right. Ohio State could have problems blocking both pass rushers off the edge for sustained periods, so Chip Kelly will need to scheme around it the best he can.
Will Howard
The memory most associated with Howard in the Oregon game is his ill-fated slide that was perhaps a second too late, though perhaps reasonable minds could dispute Ohio State got the timeout called in time. Regardless, some casual fans could forget that Howard actually played pretty well against the Ducks. Howard went 28-of-35 for 326 yards and two touchdowns while also running for a score, his lone 300-yard passing game of the season until he accomplished the feat again against Tennessee last week. With the offensive line injuries potentially hampering the running game, the Buckeyes will need the Howard that lit up the Ducks and Volunteers to re-emerge.
Josh Conerly Jr.
Oregon’s starting left tackle has been an anchor to an offensive line that’s only allowed five sacks in its past 11 games. Last time against Ohio State, Conerly and the Ducks kept Dillon Gabriel clean and didn’t allow a single sack. Repeating the feat will be crucial in ensuring a win in the rematch.
Jeremiah Smith
Smith was a problem for Oregon in the last matchup, as he collected 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. He would have had more than that if it weren’t for a controversial offensive pass interference penalty, but all eyes will be on Smith regardless. Ryan Day and Chip Kelly redeemed themselves last week after they seemingly forgot Smith was the best player on the field against Michigan, scheming up plays for him early and often in the CFP contest against Tennessee. If Howard is given time to throw, Smith should be in line for another big game against Oregon.
Dillon Gabriel
Similar to Howard, Gabriel was terrific the first time around, but his performance is much more heralded considering he finished on the winning side of the matchup. The Heisman finalist threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns against OSU, the lone quarterback this season who’s sliced up the Buckeyes defense to that level. Gabriel is still a good bet to finish with a good chunk of yardage, but the Buckeyes will at least have to find a way to slow him down to some degree.
Jack Sawyer
We mentioned earlier that the pass rush against Gabriel was nearly non-existent in October, so that’s going to need to change. Sawyer could be OSU’s best bet at changing that trend, so he and JT Tuimoloau will have to do their best to beat the Ducks’ tackles and get home to the quarterback.
Jordan James
Gabriel got most of the credit for picking apart the Buckeyes’ defense, but what was equally disappointing from a defensive perspective was how effective the Ducks’ run game was. James ran for 115 yards on 23 carries (averaging five yards per handoff) with one rushing touchdown last time out. Between the effective passing game and rushing attack, the Buckeyes will need to find a way to at least limit one of those two avenues to get their defense off the field.
OSU’s guards
OK, we’re kind of cheating with this one by naming them collectively, but you know it’s valid. Ryan Day elicited some worry from OSU fans leading up to the Tennessee matchup when he hinted the Buckeyes would rotate their guards throughout the CFP. He was true to his word, but the strategy was effective. Between Tegra Tshabola, Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld, OSU held up in the trenches enough to exploit Tennessee’s defense. The trio of guards will be facing the same quality of front, if not better, on Wednesday, so they’ll need to be just as effective to sustain drives.
Evan Stewart
Tez Johnson is Oregon’s leading receiver this season, and you almost have to concede that he will make a few plays every now and then. But limiting Stewart is essential to victory for Ohio State, and it's something it failed to do the first time. In the October contest against the Buckeyes, Stewart caught seven passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, and that still remains his breakout game for the Ducks. If the Buckeyes can at least mitigate Stewart Wednesday, it gives the Ducks one less avenue of attacking Jim Knowles’ defense.
Caleb Downs
Just as Smith is often considered the best player on the field on offense, Downs is equally as important defensively. Whether he’s excelling in pass coverage or being utilized to help take away a team’s rushing attack, Downs is a huge weapon for the Buckeyes and could be one of the biggest X-factors in limiting Oregon’s offense.
Jabbar Muhammad
Someone on Oregon is going to have to attempt to take away Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate and Smith. Just as pressure will be on Burke and Co. for Ohio State, Muhammad and Oregon’s secondary will have its hands full against the Buckeyes’ vaunted trio of weapons.
