The Ohio State football team heads into the Rose Bowl with a chance at redemption after a two-loss season. While the Buckeyes’ final regular-season game was a disappointing collapse, their first loss—a one-point defeat to Oregon on the road—was a tightly contested thriller.

In that September showdown, quarterback Will Howard came close to pulling off a dramatic comeback. On the final drive, he couldn’t slide quickly enough to preserve enough time for Ohio State to attempt a game-winning field goal. Despite the heartbreaking finish, it was one of Howard’s best performances of the season, showcasing his ability to make key throws under pressure.

Now, Ohio State gets a rematch with Oregon, this time at a neutral site. The Buckeyes are confident they can turn the tide in their favor, and a key reason for their optimism lies in what happened during that first matchup.

How Oregon Helped Spark Ohio State’s Defensive Transformation

Oregon’s offense torched Ohio State’s defense in that initial meeting, exposing glaring weaknesses in the Buckeyes’ secondary. However, that rough outing turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles used the game as a catalyst for completely overhauling the defense.

Since then, Ohio State’s defense has been one of the best in the country. The secondary, which struggled mightily in Eugene, has been a standout unit, led by Denzel Burke. Burke, who left that game with the unenviable nickname of “burnt toast,” has since transformed into a lockdown corner, anchoring a defense that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points in any game since.

The Keys to a Buckeye Victory

That defensive resurgence is the cornerstone of Ohio State’s confidence heading into the Rose Bowl. While Oregon’s offense was the only unit to light up the Buckeyes this season, the revamped defense looks poised to handle whatever the Ducks throw their way.

If Ohio State’s offense can replicate its explosive performance from the win over Tennessee, this rematch could swing decisively in their favor. With their sights set on avenging that early-season loss, the Buckeyes are ready to prove that this is a very different team than the one Oregon faced in September.