COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The week Ohio State fans have been waiting for has finally arrived.
No. 2 Ohio State plays No. 3 Oregon on Saturday night in a Big Ten game that will be televised on NBC4. Coach Ryan Day, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and quarterback Will Howard spoke to the media Tuesday.
"You get to control your own destiny. Every time you play one of these teams, you're fighting for an opportunity to go to Indianapolis," Day said. "A lot at stake this weekend, which is exactly what you want."
Ohio State is coming off a 35-7 victory over Iowa, and Oregon defeated Michigan State 31-10 on Friday.
Saturday's contest will take place in a familiar setting for Kelly, who was at the helm for the Ducks from 2009-2012, leading the program to the BCS National Championship game in 2011. He said he still has family in Eugene and coaches that he used to work with that he plans on running into.
"It's a special place and great for our players. A chance for them to play in one of the special places in college football.," Kelly said. "Autzen Stadium at that time of day is truly special."
Howard, who has already passed for 1,248 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, says games like Saturday's matchup in Eugene are part of the reason why he came to Ohio State from Kansas State.
"When you come to a place like Ohio State, you want to play on the biggest stage," Howard said. "This is what you sign up for and this is what I was looking forward to. This is what college football is about and what you dream about as a kid."
Ducks coach Dan Lanning spoke to the media on Monday.
"Getting to play a great opponent this week," he said. "Strong in all three phases. When you watch them, you don't see a weakness. They're really strong across the board, and this will be a great challenge for us. There's a lot of things that present threats, and I think you have to be sound in everything you come up with."
