Coming down the home stretch of the 2025 Big Ten teams that Ohio State will not be facing this season. So far, we have looked at Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Northwestern. Up next, the Oregon Ducks.
2024 Results: The Big Ten debut could not have gone much better for Dan Lanning and his team, as Oregon won every regular season game en route to claiming their first Big Ten Championship, defeating Penn State 45-37 on December 7th. Oregon was awarded a number one seed in the first year of the expanded College Football Playoff.
The reward was anything but, as Oregon ran into a buzzsaw as Ohio State demolished Oregon in The 2025 Rose Bowl, 41-21. Oregon’s fantastic season ended very unceremoniously, but the Ducks served notice to The Big Ten that they were a program that would be among the conference’s best for the forseeable future.
Next Scheduled Regular Season Game Versus Ohio State: Right now, and I want to emphasize “right now”, the next scheduled game versus Ohio State is in 2026, when Oregon will come back to Ohio Stadium for the first time as a conference opponent. Ohio State fans will be eager to exact revenge upon the Ducks, as Oregon defeated Ohio State 35-28 the last time the Ducks played at Ohio State in the 2021 season.
Biggest Personnel Losses From 2024: Ten players were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, with DL Derrick Harmon (Pittsburgh) and OT Josh Conerly, Jr. (Washington) both going in the first round. Another significant loss was at the quarterback position, as Dillon Gabriel was a 3rd-round selection by Cleveland, creating some uncertainty at the quarterback position heading into the 2025 season (sound familiar, Ohio State fans?).
Biggest Personnel Gains For 2025: While substantial talent left the program, substantial talent came rushing in to make sure the program does not miss a beat. Key additions include former Nevada offensive tackle Isaiah World, a five-star transfer, and several four-star talents like interior offensive lineman Emmanuel Pregnon, running back Makhi Hughes, wide receiver Malik Benson, tight end Jamari Johnson, defensive lineman Bear Alexander, offensive tackle Alex Harley, and safety Dillon Thieneman. Combined with what was among the nation’s best incoming freshman recruiting classes, and Oregon is going to be among the highest ranked teams heading into the 2025 season.
Most Challenging Portion Of The 2025 Schedule: The trip to Beaver Stadium at night versus Penn State on September 27th looms large, but the November slate appears to have its biggest areas of concern for the Ducks. A trip to Kinnick Stadium on November 8th to face Iowa, two home games on November 14th (Minnesota) and November 22nd (USC), and then a road trip to Husky Stadium to face Washington all represent potential landmines.
Possibility Of A Big Ten Championship Game Appearance In 2025? Remember how I wrote up above “right now”? If Ohio State is able to get back to Indianapolis for a Big Ten Championship Game appearance in 2025, it would not be surprising if Oregon is there. As a matter of fact, it would be more surprising if Oregon is not there, as the talent and schedule are advantageous for the Ducks to get back to Indianapolis.
The last team in the series to cover will be the 2025 USC Trojans in our next installment. As always, thank you for reading, and let me know what you think.
Thoughts, news and notes from final Ohio State one-day recruiting camp
Ohio State set to wrap up June recruiting frenzy with 17 official visitors
Jackson Samuels-Ford feels like a priority at Ohio State
Where Ohio State stands with June 13 weekend official visitors
The Latest on Five-Star Offensive Tackle Felix Ojo
The Impact: Ohio State lands key commitment from cornerback Jordan Thomas
Do the Buckeyes Lead for the Nation’s Top Linebacker?
The Impact: Kayden Dixon-Wyatt is latest prototype receiver to commit to Ohio State