LOS ANGELES – Oregon and Ohio State are two of the most daunting teams left in the College Football Playoff in no small part because they’ve both got starting quarterbacks who had already seen — and beaten — just about everything they’re ever going to face at this level of the sport before they joined their new teams for one last college try.
They’re both in their first year at their respective schools, but not much else is new about these quarterbacks facing off in the Rose Bowl on Wednesday.
The Ducks’ Dillon Gabriel is in his sixth season with his third top program, starting a record 62 games along the way. The Buckeyes’ Will Howard is in his fifth year at his second school. Combined, they’ve thrown 3,192 collegiate passes for 230 touchdowns even before they meet in the Oregon-Ohio State rematch that doubles as the most anticipated of the four CFP quarterfinals.
Gabriel turned 24 years old …