The Rose Bowl is nicknamed The Granddaddy of Them All for a reason: It’s the oldest and best college football bowl game. This year’s edition of the Rose Bowl doubles as a playoff game with a doozy of a quarterfinal matchup.
Oregon is entering the postseason with a sterling undefeated record, while Ohio State’s coming off a blowout win over Tennessee and itching for a rematch against the Ducks. Who’ll exit the Rose Bowl with the chance to win it all in the College Football Playoff? Here’s what you need to know about watching or streaming the Rose Bowl.
What time is the Rose Bowl?
Oregon earned the No. 1 seed in this year’s 12-team playoff thanks to an undefeated regular season run. The Ducks have already dispatched Ohio State and Penn State this year, and they were a sizable step ahead of the Big Ten in their first year in the conference.
As for Ohio State, the Buckeyes got past an overmatched Tennessee squad in a dominant 42–17 win. But if they want to achieve their natty-or-bust goals and calm things down around Ryan Day, they’ll need to get revenge against the Ducks in Pasadena.
The Rose Bowl will be on Wednesday, January 1. It’ll air on ESPN at 5:00 p.m. ET. The game will be at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
#1 Oregon vs. #6 Ohio State (Rose Bowl)
Date: Wednesday, Jan. 1
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN
Location: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
How to watch the Rose Bowl for free
Want to watch the Rose Bowl for free on TV? Since the game airs exclusively on ESPN, you’ll need a cable or streaming subscription with ESPN to watch the Rose Bowl. You can use the ESPN app to watch the Rose Bowl for free with a qualifying subscription.
Do you prefer to stream the Rose Bowl? We recommend Fubo because the livestreaming TV service has a seven-day free trial, and you can install the service on devices like web browsers, streaming sticks, and smart TVs. Check out our Fubo Free Trial guide to learn more.
Rose Bowl ESPN Megacast schedule
ESPN will have a full Megacast slate of programming across ESPN platforms for every quarterfinal game. Here’s what you can expect on Wednesday for the Rose Bowl.
| Channel | Event |
|---|---|
| ESPN | Main broadcast |
| ESPN2 | Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show |
| ESPNU | Command Center |
| ESPNews | Skycast |
| ESPN Deportes | Spanish-language broadcast |
| ESPN Radio | National radio broadcast |
| ESPN app | Marching band performances |
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Rose Bowl 2025 preview: Oregon vs. Ohio State
Oregon and Ohio State are entering the postseason on sky-high trajectories, but only one team can move onto the semifinals. Here are our biggest questions ahead of the Rose Bowl.
Oregon vs. Ohio State by the stats
| Stat |
 Oregon |
 Ohio State |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN FPI | 6th | 3rd |
| Passing yards per game | 278 (14th) | 254.3 (38th) |
| Rushing yards per game | 171.8 (53rd) | 169.2 (58th) |
| Points scored per game | 37.9 (8th) | 37.5 (10th) |
| Passing defense | 175.7 (12th) | 144.3 (2nd) |
| Rushing defense | 126.1 (35th) | 96.8 (7th) |
| Points allowed per game | 17.8 (13th) | 10.9 (1st) |
Ducks remain a tough out
In a season that featured its share of upsets, Oregon won out thanks to their workman-like efficiency. The Ducks never trailed in their shootout Big Ten Championship win over Penn State and didn’t turn the ball over.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel and receiver Tez Johnson remain the dangerous focal points of the Oregon offense. Gabriel’s an experienced point guard and distributor, while Johnson returned at full speed against Penn State after missing time with an injury. But the Ducks’ defense probably wants a redo against Penn State, as they gave up a season-high 292 yards (at 8.3 yards a pop) to the Nittany Lions’ backs.
Buckeyes back?
Take a breather, Ohio State fans. One game down, three more to go?
For any Buckeyes still salty about their 32–31 Oregon loss, it’s not a stretch to think they could take this rematch with its coin-flip odds. During their regular-season matchup, Ohio State went blow-for-blow with Oregon in yardage, time of possession, and efficiency. The game ultimately came down to Ohio State’s turnovers, a mess of a final play, and Oregon’s creative rulebook usage.
Oregon vs. Ohio State Rose Bowl prediction: why not make this the national championship?
Oddsmakers have Oregon and Ohio State as the favorites to win it all for a simple reason: They’ve looked like two of the nation’s best teams all season, and this game could go either way.
The Rose Bowl’s pin-sized spread reflects how evenly matched both squads are ahead of a rematch that’ll likely be one of the year’s best games:
| Source | Game pick |
|---|---|
| Point spread | Ohio State by 2.5 |
| ESPN Matchup Predictor | Ohio State 53.6% win expectancy |
| Bill Connelly/SP+ | TBD |
| CFB Insiders | Oregon 55% win expectancy, projected 23–21 score |
Ohio State entered the postseason with huge questions around Ryan Day, but quieted the speculation by nuking Tennessee from orbit. Against a Vols defense that ranked top 10 in multiple metrics, Ohio State racked up 473 total yards of offense, opened with a 21-point first quarter, and didn’t allow a single sack on quarterback Will Howard, which is notable considering the Buckeyes’ line shuffling this year. When Ohio State lets its five-star roster go full throttle, they’re more than capable of blowing any team off the field.
Oregon’s rush defense remains gummy in the middle, but it’s yet to be a game-losing problem for the brutally efficient Ducks. Dillion Gabriel rarely makes mistakes, the Ducks’ lockdown pass defense is stifling, and their ground game keeps the sticks moving. That said, it’s something the Buckeyes are well-equipped to exploit—running back TreVeyon Henderson averaged more than five yards per carry against Oregon and Tennessee.
As with their first matchup, expect this game to come down to the margins: will Ohio State’s offensive line be able to repeat its performance against a strong Ducks pass rush? Can Oregon’s offense, Dillon Gabriel, and Tez Johnson keep the chains moving against Jim Knowles and the Ohio State defense?
How to watch the Rose Bowl FAQ
When is the Rose Bowl?
The Rose Bowl is on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The game will kick off at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Who is playing in the Rose Bowl?
Oregon and Ohio State will play in the 2025 Rose Bowl. This will be Oregon’s ninth appearance in the Rose Bowl, while Ohio State returns to Pasadena for the first time since 2022.
When is the Rose Bowl Parade?
The Rose Bowl Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. PT on Wednesday, Jan. 1. You can watch it on channels including NBC and ABC, depending on your local broadcaster schedule.
What channel is the Rose Bowl on?
The Rose Bowl will air exclusively on ESPN at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Where is the Rose Bowl?
The Rose Bowl is in Pasadena, Calif.
Is Ohio State in the Rose Bowl?
Ohio State is in this year’s Rose Bowl. They’ll face off against the Oregon Ducks.
