Sixth-ranked Ohio State, the number eight seed in the tournament, defeated Tennessee in the first round, 42–17, to advance to this game.
This was the 12th all-time meeting between Ohio State and Oregon, as well as their first post-season meeting since the inaugural 2015 CFP National Championship game in Arlington, which Ohio State won 42–20.[5] It was also their third meeting in the Rose Bowl, following the 1958 and 2010 editions of the bowl from when the game traditionally featured champions of the Big Ten and Pac-12 (or that of their predecessors). The Buckeyes won both times, but the Ducks won the teams' meeting earlier in the 2024 season, a Week 7 game at Autzen Stadium, 32–31.[5]
Following the 1958 Rose Bowl, a sapling of a yellow aesculus (buckeye tree), the namesake of the state of Ohio, was given to Oregon and planted outside the Lillis Business complex, where it still stands.[7]
Due to a medical issue, sportswriter Art Spander ended a 70-game streak of attending Pasadena-based playings of the Rose Bowl.[8]
This was the ninth Rose Bowl appearance for the Ducks, who entered the game with a 4–4 record in prior appearances.[9] Their most recent prior appearance was the 2020 game, a win over Wisconsin.[9] Oregon entered the game as the Big Ten Conference champions with an 13–0 record (9–0 in conference), their first season in the conference.[10]
Ohio State was 9–7 in prior Rose Bowl appearances, with their more recent prior appearance coming in the 2022 edition, a three-point victory over Utah. The Buckeyes came into this game with an 11–2 record following their 42–17 first-round win over Tennessee. Ohio State's losses to Oregon and archrival Michigan were by a total of four points.
Game summary
College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 2025 Rose Bowl Game
