The 2019 Rose Bowl Game will be a traditional matchup with the Pac-12 champion taking on the Big Ten champion. The Washington Huskies will represent the Pac-12 as they take on the Big Ten Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. Both Washington and Ohio State just missed out on the College Football Playoffs and this should be a terrific matchup.
Ohio State finished the 2018 regular season with a 12-1 record, but come into this game with plenty of momentum. The Buckeyes have won five straight games including a 45-24 victory over Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game. Washington finished the regular season with a 10-3 record, including a 10-3 victory over Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Ohio State is a 6.5 point favorite in this game.
Ohio State Can Score Points
The Ohio State Buckeyes feature one of the most explosive offenses in college football, led by quarterback Dwayne Haskins. Ohio State averaged more than 50 points per game during the regular season, and they will look to throw the ball deep in this game. Haskins threw for a Big Ten record 4,580 yards and 47 touchdowns this season. If the Buckeyes are going to win the Rose Bowl Game, it will likely be Haskins and his rocket arm leading them.
A big question mark for the Buckeyes all season long has been their defense. Ohio State gave up a whopping 49 points to Purdue earlier this season, and they have struggled to defend the run. The Buckeyes gave up just 25.7 points per game this season, but they must prove that they can get critical stops. If Urban Meyer is going to win his final game at Ohio State, his defense must step up.
Huskies Defense Is Legit
Ohio State might feature an explosive offense, but the Washington defense will be ready. The Huskies allowed just 15.5 points per game during the regular season, and dominated Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven leads the Washington defense with 165 tackles this season, and he should spend some time in the Ohio State backfield in this game. The Huskies have several future NFL stars on their defense, and they won’t make life easy for Haskins and the Buckeyes.
Quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin lead a balanced Washington offensive attack. Browning has thrown for close to 3,000 yards this season, but has thrown 10 interceptions. Gaskin is averaging almost five yards per carry, and has ran for over 1,100 yards. The Huskies don’t have the quick strike offense of Ohio State, but they should be able to put up points against a poor Buckeyes defense.
Buckeyes Blow Out Washington
Washington will need to slow down the tempo in this game if they are going to win, but that is easier said than done against Ohio State. The Buckeyes will look to throw the ball deep early and will put a ton of pressure on the Huskies secondary. Washington has had a great season, but they don’t have the offense to keep up with the Buckeyes. Look for Ohio State to blow out Washington in what will be Urban Meyer’s final game. Bet Ohio State -6.5 over Washington in the Rose Bowl Game.
