"We're excited about the Buckeyes, we have season tickets!"

While a national championship bid is still up in the air for Ohio State fans, for Pete Morabito, the Rose Bowl will do for now.

As the Bucks take on the Ducks from Oregon, he's anticipating a different and better outcome than when the teams met in October.

"I think the strategy will be changed as opposed to when we played Oregon the first time," Morabito said.

He and a couple high school chums joined dozens of others packed into Coaches Burger Bar in Austintown to cheer on their Buckeyes.

"We always come here for the away games," said Morabito. "The people are nice, they have good service and good food!"

"There's not a better place in town to ring in the new year than Coaches Burger Bar," said marketing project manager Melissa DelSignore. "We have great food, cold drinks and Ohio State football on today. And for the game we have $2 domestic drafts with food purchase."

But no matter whether you caught the Ohio State game at a crowded Valley sports bar or from the comfort of your couch, the sentiment around here remains the same.

"Go bucks!" exclaimed Morabito among the rest of the patrons.

OSU lost to Oregon by one during their matchup at The Horseshoe on October 12, 2024.