Ohio State To Win National Championship? Oregon Ducks Coach Dan Lanning Believes

The Ohio State Buckeyes are 9.5-point favorites to beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the National Championship game. Oregon Ducks coach Dan Lanning believe Ohio State and coach Ryan Day can win it all with much thanks to quarterback Will Howard, receiver Jeremiah Smith, linebacker Jack Sawyer and safety Caleb Downs.
Dec 31, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day (left) and Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning shake hands with the Leishman Trophy as a backdrop during the Rose Bowl head coaches press conference at Sheraton Grand LA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dec 31, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day (left) and Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning shake hands with the Leishman Trophy as a backdrop during the Rose Bowl head coaches press conference at Sheraton Grand LA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Ohio State Buckeyes are massive 9.5-point favorites to beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to become the 2024-25 College Football National Champions.

The Oregon Ducks and the Buckeyes have a budding Big Ten conference rivalry in Oregon's first season in the Big Ten. After Ohio State enacted its revenge in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals at the Rose Bowl in a dominant 41-21 victory, Oregon coach Dan Lanning revealed he believed Ohio State could win the CFP.

"They clicked tonight and we didn't," Lanning said of Ohio State after the Rose Bowl loss. "I didn't get our team prepared. And that's a great team. When you play a great team like Ohio State, you can't not be clicking on all cylinders. And they were. They were clicking on all cylinders… Obviously that's a team I think that has the ability to go win it all."

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day (left) and Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning shake hands with the Leishman Trophy a
Dec 31, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day (left) and Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning shake hands with the Leishman Trophy as a backdrop during the Rose Bowl head coaches press conference at Sheraton Grand LA. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

After a 12-0 undefeated regular season, the Ducks became Big Ten Conference Champions by beating Penn State in the Big Ten conference game, reaching a 13-0 record for the first-time ever. Ultimately Oregon's goal of winning its first National Championship was halted by the Buckeyes with much thanks to their explosive offense and stingy defense.

Oregon's defense struggled against the Buckeyes' dynamic playmakers, including Ohio State’s true freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith. Smith caught seven passes for a total of 187 yards and two touchdowns, helping to secure an Ohio State victory. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard finished 17-of-26 in passing for 319 yards and three touchdowns.

"He’s strong, attacks the ball in the air as well as any receiver I’ve seen," Lanning said of Smith. "The guy is NFL-ready. He’s that talented and that special. And Will Howard did a great job getting him the ball. And he’s tough and he’s physical. He’s got all the tools. A really talented player."

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) and quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrate following the 28-14 win over th
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) and quarterback Will Howard (18) celebrate following the 28-14 win over the Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Buckeyes defense, led by Alabama transfer Caleb Downs and defensive end Jack Sawyer, completely shut out Oregon in the first quarter. Sawyer pestered Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, making it very difficult for Oregon's normally high-flying offense to get going. Sawyer, who has been compared to NFL great J.J. Watt, finished the Rose Bowl with two tackles for loss and two sacks in the game. Downs earned a a team-high 81.4 grade from PFF in tackling in the Rose Bowl and broke up three passes, a career-high.

MORE: Oregon Ducks To Sign Transfer Portal Lineman Emmanuel Pregnon From USC Trojans?

MORE: NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year: Denver Broncos Bo Nix, Washington Jayden Daniels?

MORE: Boise State Football Accuses Oregon Ducks of Tampering

When asked about Ohio State's turnaround since losing to rival Michigan, Lanning gave an insightful answer.

"Sometimes it’s not your day. I think that was us today. It wasn’t our day today. It wasn’t their day against Michigan," Lanning said. "But what’s unique about college football right now in this dynamic is that you’ve got to be playing your best ball at the end. I think anybody watching Ohio State recognizes they’re playing really good football."

The Buckeyes certainly look like a team on a mission.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman and quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating the Penn State Ni
(EDITORS NOTE: caption correction) Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman and quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Ohio State beat the Texas Longhorns in the College Football Semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, 28-14, to punch their ticket to the National Championship Game on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Ohio State will face Notre Dame, who outlasted Penn State, 27-24, in the Orange Bowl.

As for Oregon? The Ducks are regrouping and building for next season. Lanning has been active in the transfer portal as the Ducks say goodbye to key players to the NFL including: quarterback Dillon Gabriel, receiver Tez Johnson, running back Jordan James, tight end Terrance Ferguson, defensive end Jordan Burch, defensive end Derrick Harmon and cornerback Jabbar Muhhammad.

"Adversity happens in life," Lanning said after the Rose Bowl. "And we’re going to get an opportunity in life to continue to attack and move forward. And I know there’s a lot of winners in that room, and there are guys that are going to have a chance to go on in life and be great fathers and husbands. I hope they saw those examples on our team. They’re going to be great business leaders and NFL players. And they gave their heart and soul to us."

"To me, it’s not about getting knocked down. It’s about getting back up and what you do next."

MORE: Former Oregon Ducks Receiver Ryan Pellum Arrested for 'Pistol-Whipping' Assault

MORE: L.A. Chargers Jim Harbaugh Compares Justin Herbert To Joe Montana Before NFL Playoffs

MORE: Are Oregon Ducks Transfer Portal Winners or Losers? Dan Lanning's Big Commitments

MORE: Oregon Ducks 2026 Recruiting Class Ranks No. 1, Raves About Coach Dan Lanning


Published |Modified
Bri Amaranthus
BRI AMARANTHUS

Bri Amaranthus is an Emmy-winning sports reporter with over 12 years of experience in television, radio, podcasting, and digital sports journalism. She has been with Sports Illustrated for four years, providing breaking news, exclusive interviews, and analysis on the NFL, college sports, and the NBA. Prior to joining SI, Bri hosted NBC Sports Northwest's prime-time television show, where she also served as the Oregon beat reporter and created content covering both the NBA and college sports. Throughout her career, Bri has achieved significant milestones, including covering major events like the NBA Finals, NFL playoffs, College Football Playoff, NCAA Basketball Tournament, NFL Draft, and the NFL Combine. She earned a D1 scholarship to play softball at the University of San Diego and won two state softball titles in high school in Oregon. In addition to her Emmy win for NBC's All-Star Coach special, she has received multiple Emmy nominations, highlighting her dedication and talent in sports journalism.