Ohio State Stuns Oregon in College Football Playoff Quarterfinal, Raising Questions About Seeding
The College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl saw No. 8 seed Ohio State deliver a decisive 41–21 victory over top-seeded Oregon. The loss marked a stunning turn of events for the Ducks, who had previously defeated the Buckeyes during the regular season. Despite their perfect 13-0 record and Big Ten title, Oregon was overwhelmed by an Ohio State team that took command of the game, at one point leading by a staggering 34 points.
Ohio State’s dominant performance left little doubt about their superiority on the day. However, the matchup reignited debates about the fairness of the CFP seeding system. ESPN analyst and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban expressed sympathy for Oregon fans, who he believes have a valid reason to question the structure.
Saban’s Opinion
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Saban remarked, “If I were an Oregon fan, I’d be frustrated. You’re the undefeated No. 1 seed, and yet you’re matched against Ohio State in the first round. That’s a tough draw. If I were in their shoes, I’d probably be online complaining too.”
Saban’s comments highlight what many see as a fundamental flaw in the CFP’s seeding process. Oregon’s road to the playoffs included regular-season victories over both Ohio State and Penn State, making their No. 1 ranking well-deserved. Yet, their playoff path began with a bye, only to pit them against a resurgent Buckeyes team in the quarterfinal. Meanwhile, Penn State faced a comparatively easier route, going up against SMU and Boise State before advancing to the semifinals. Penn State now awaits the winner of Notre Dame and Georgia, who will clash in the Sugar Bowl.
Fans are beginning to question seeding
The lopsided nature of the quarterfinal matchups has fueled discussions about potential reforms to the playoff system. While the current structure seeks to create a balanced and competitive postseason, critics argue that it can unfairly penalize higher-ranked teams.
Despite Oregon’s abrupt exit, Saban remains confident that the Ducks’ accomplishments this season will not be overlooked. Still, the disappointment of falling short in a year that began with such promise is likely to linger for Oregon fans. Moving forward, this controversy may serve as a catalyst for reevaluating the seeding process to ensure a fairer distribution of challenges in future iterations of the CFP.
