The Upperclassmen: Oregon, Ohio St. Leaned On Well-traveled Veteran Qbs To Reach Rose Bowl, Cfp

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 last weekend, while Howard is still a fresh-faced 23. They've both got teammates who could have been watching them play since middle school, yet neither was among the top four oldest starting quarterbacks in the FBS this season.

Gabriel, the former UCF and Oklahoma starter, is a big proponent of what has become the new normal, when quality players can make solid NIL money while playing elite college football through their full eligibility - and even becoming a Heisman Trophy finalist like Gabriel - instead of filling out an NFL depth chart, particularly if their draft prospects aren't yet stellar.