Ohio State answers critics with rout of Oregon in CFP quarters - ESPN

PASADENA, Calif. — Jeremiah Smith, a rose stem planted firmly in his mouth, glared confidently into the scarlet-coated section of the Rose Bowl stands Wednesday as he exited the field.

The Ohio State band was blaring the school fight song, and all around Smith, teammates, cheerleaders and fans were soaking up the sights and sounds of the Buckeyes' 41-21 battering of Oregon in the Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential. It was their second straight blowout win in the College Football Playoff, moving them two wins from a national championship.

«We've got a chip on our shoulder, and that chip ain't going away,» said Smith, managing to keep the rose stem in his mouth. «That's who we are.»

That's fitting, too, because the Buckeyes have done just about anything they've wanted in this playoff, easing the sting of the 13-10 loss to bitter rival Michigan to end the regular season.

«As much pain as that caused a lot of people, I don't know if we'd be here without that,» Ohio State senior defensive tackle Tyleik Williams said. «I know it sounds simple, but it gets back to executing the way we can, the way our talent says we should. When we do that, I'm not sure anybody can beat us, and you've seen that these last two games.»

Ohio State (12-2) didn't leave any doubt in this game and surged ahead 34-0 in the second quarter against a previously unbeaten Oregon team that squeaked past Ohio State 32-31 on Oct. 12, the first time the teams played this season in Eugene.

How dominant was this quarterfinal beatdown? At the 10:28 mark of the second quarter, Smith had 5 catches for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Ohio State led 24-0. Oregon as a team had 60 total yards.

«Can't give them any life, no reason to believe they can win,» Smith