Home field advantage: The game is being played at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, which is known to be a very difficult environment for visiting teams. This is Ohio State's first trip to Eugene since 1967.

Recent history: Oregon defeated Ohio State 35-28 in Columbus in 2021, their most recent meeting. This shows the Ducks can compete with and beat the Buckeyes.

Strong performance: Oregon has been dominant recently, winning its first three Big Ten games by an average of 26 points. They have the second-best point differential in the FBS since the start of last season.

Offensive potential: While quarterback Dillon Gabriel has had some struggles, he's shown the ability to produce big numbers and could step up in this crucial game.

Defensive strength: Oregon is allowing only 162.0 passing yards per game, which ranks 18th in college football. This could challenge Ohio State's passing attack.