When the 2024 schedule was announced for the newly aligned Big Ten Conference, the matchup Saturday night between Ohio State and newcomer Oregon was circled as possible must-see TV.
Forget possible. The teams have done their part to make it a must-watch game by not losing, as many highly ranked teams have done this season, and will meet in Eugene, Ore., for the first conference matchup between the No. 2 Buckeyes (5-0, 2-0) and No. 3 Ducks (5-0, 2-0).
“Big game here. We are certainly excited for this opportunity,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “Getting to play a great opponent this week. They’re strong in all three phases. As a team, when you watch them, you really don’t see a weakness. … This will be a great challenge for us. I know our fans will be great again this weekend. That will make that a fun atmosphere for us.”
This might not be the only time Ohio State and Oregon play this season because the top two teams in the Big Ten will meet in the conference championship game on Dec. 7 in Indianapolis.
“You’re fighting for an opportunity to go to Indianapolis, and that’s important. So, there’s that part of it,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “There’s obviously the (College Football Playoff) scenario, so a lot at stake this weekend, which is exactly what we wanted.”
Ohio State has several Oregon connections. Former UCLA head coach Chip Kelly (2018-23) was hired as the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator on Feb. 9; he was Oregon’s head coach from 2009-12 and took the Ducks to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game, where they lost to Auburn.
“It’s a special place,” Kelly said of Autzen Stadium, the site of Saturday’s game. “It’s a great chance for our players to play in one of the special places in college football. … I’m fired up for our players.”
Also, running backs coach Carlos Locklyn came to the Buckeyes in April after two seasons in the same position with Oregon.
“Certainly, he knows some of the things that we like to do,” Lanning said. “On the same note, we certainly know some of the things that he likes to do. Coach Lock did a great job for our program. He’s doing a great job for theirs now.”
Locklyn oversees the duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who have combined for 805 rushing yards (average of 7.9 per carry) and nine touchdowns this season.
Oregon will counter with Jordan James, who ran for 166 yards and a touchdown in a 31-10 win over Michigan State last week.
The quarterbacks have played well this season, although each has shown vulnerability. Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel has completed 77.8 percent of his 167 passes for 1,449 yards and 11 TDs but threw two first-half red-zone interceptions against the Spartans.
“He knows he wants those plays back,” Lanning said. “That doesn’t take anybody special to recognize that. He wants that back. But it’s about how can we coach that better and make sure that those situations are avoided.”
Will Howard, who is in his first season as the Buckeyes’ quarterback since transferring from Kansas State, has a 71.5 percent completion rate and has passed for 1,248 yards and 12 touchdowns but has been intercepted in three straight games.
“When you come to a place like Ohio State, you want to play on the biggest stage,” Howard said. “This is what you sign up for, and this is what I was looking forward to.”
