The College Football Playoff quarterfinals are here and the tension is palpable. The first round was a walk in the park for the four higher-seeded teams, who had the home-field advantage in their respective games. This time, the teams will face each other in neutral territory.
Big hitters will face each other, including Penn State vs. Boise State, Texas vs. Arizona State, Ohio State vs. Oregon, and Georgia vs. Notre Dame. Despite the stakes, fans and analysts still have their opinions on which teams will come out on top.
Fox Sports Analyst Joel Klatt Shares Shaky Prediction for Ohio State vs. Oregon Showdown
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt is one such person, and among his takes, his Buckeyes vs. Ducks prediction is particularly intriguing.
On Monday’s episode of “The Joel Klatt Show,” Klatt gave his take on the Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Oregon Ducks showdown, though he showed a hint of doubt, making it one of the few times the analyst isn’t abundantly confident in a prediction.
Klatt favors the 2.5-favorite Buckeyes to win this game despite them losing to the Ducks earlier this year in the regular season.
“I have gone both ways on this,” Klatt said. “Ohio State 42, Oregon 41. Oregon covers because they’re getting two and a half, and Ohio State wins and moves on. This game should be incredible.”
As mentioned earlier, this will be the second time both sides face each other this season, with the Ducks getting a razor-thin victory over the Buckeyes on Oct. 12.
Ohio State enters this game with an 11-2 record, having lost to Oregon and Michigan this season. The Ducks will be looking to keep their perfect 13-0 record by defeating Ohio State but considering their last meeting with the Buckeyes, things might take a sour turn for Oregon.
Oregon Head Coach Dan Lanning Embraces Pressure Ahead of Ohio State Game
Dan Lanning is having a superb season. He’s finally gotten his team to the CFP, and even better, they’ve won every single game. As the only team that boasts a perfect 13-0 record, the pressure for Oregon to keep winning must be immense.
The Ducks’ next game against the 11-2 Buckeyes will likely be their toughest yet. Both sides met earlier this season, with the Ducks winning by a single point. This time, however, Ohio State will be out for revenge.
For Lanning, the pressure is merely a part of the game, and the Ducks head coach welcomes it with open arms.
“If you’re in moments like this, you’re certainly going to feel pressure. I think anybody who says they’re not, they’re lying … You want to be in positions where pressure is applied,” Lanning said.
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Lanning went on to quote his former boss, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart, in order to sufficiently articulate his point.
“Kirby said it before, but I agree with him. ‘Pressure is a privilege.’ If you put yourself in a position where you’re going to have pressure, that’s something you have to be able to handle, and our team’s handled it well so far.”
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