Oregon Ducks Set to Compete in 111th Rose Bowl
PASADENA, Calif. — The Oregon Ducks, topping the College Football Playoff rankings with a perfect 13-0 record, are poised for a New Year’s showdown in the Rose Bowl. As the top seed in the inaugural 12-team playoff format, Oregon will face either the eighth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes or the ninth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers, who will compete in a playoff quarterfinal on December 21.
The Ducks, led by Coach Dan Lanning, are on a quest for their first national championship, recently claiming the Big Ten title in a thrilling 45-37 victory over Penn State. Lanning, undeterred by the challenge ahead, emphasized the importance of focusing on controllable factors, viewing the tougher path as an opportunity.
Ohio State, with a record of 10-2, hopes to rebound after a disappointing loss to Michigan and a narrow defeat to Oregon in October, which adds to the intensity of the potential rematch. The Buckeyes boast a robust history at the Rose Bowl, having made 16 appearances, winning their last four.
For the Volunteers, returning to Pasadena would be a momentous event; their last appearance at the Rose Bowl was in 1945. Tennessee’s fan base eagerly anticipates the possibility, as they seek revenge for their losses to the Ducks in past encounters.
The Rose Bowl, traditionally a matchup between Big Ten and Pac-12 teams, faces changes amidst the Pac-12’s disintegration. Oregon’s participation, especially against either Ohio State or Tennessee, promises to bring a classic football narrative to the "Granddaddy of Them All" on January 1, 2024, marking a thrilling chapter in the evolving landscape of college football.
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