This weekend, four first-round games will begin the 12-team College Football Playoff. The final matchup will be between Tennessee, the ninth seed, and Ohio State, the eighth seed.
Ohio State (10-2) has defeated Indiana and Penn State. However, the Buckeyes suffered a dramatic upset over Michigan in the regular season finale after losing by a slim margin against Oregon in October. Ryan Day’s squad missed the Big Ten title game after dropping in the standings.
Tennessee’s victory over Alabama at home boosts their resume. However, the Vols (10-2) lost between the hedges in November after losing badly to Arkansas and failing to keep up with Georgia.
Before Ohio State and Tennessee play each other in the CFP, here is what you should know.
DIRECTIONS FOR WATCHING
Date: December 21, Saturday
It is 8 p.m.
Venue: Columbus, Ohio’s Ohio Stadium
TV: ABC/ESPN
ODDS FOR BETTING
As stated by FanDuel Sportsbook.
Spread: -7.5 for Ohio State
Moneyline: Tennessee (+220); Ohio State (-275)
Above/Below: 46.5 points
PARTICIPANTS TO VIEW
(In parenthesis are the player’s jersey number.)
Jeremiah Smith, a five-star freshman wide receiver for Ohio State, was hailed as the next Marvin Harrison Jr. With 57 receptions for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns, he has lived up to the promise.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8): In the 2023 recruiting cycle, Iamaleava was the top overall pick. It will be necessary for the rookie to do better than he did against Georgia and Alabama.
Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State (91):Williams is among college football’s top interior defensive lineman. The 327-pound, 6-foot-3 athlete is a formidable opponent.
DE in Tennessee 27-year-old James Pearce Jr. Abdul Carter is predicted to be the best edge rusher in the 2025 NFL draft class. But Pearce is just as disruptive when he’s performing at his best.
DATA TO BE Aware OF
(Ranking in parenthesis among the FBS’s 134 teams.)
Tennessee scored 37.3 points per game (8th); Ohio State scored 35.5 points per game (16th).
Tennessee: 6.26 yards per play (33rd); Ohio State: 6.79 yards per play (7th).
Defense scores: Tennessee: 13.9 (T-4th); Ohio State: 10.9 (1st).
Tennessee: 4.33 yards per play (4th); Ohio State: 4.1 yards per play (2nd)
ADVANTAGES
Ohio State: Smith and running back Quinshon Judkins are examples of skill players. However, the defense has the nation’s top safety tandem (Caleb Downs and Lathan Ransom) and three possible first-round picks in the trenches (Williams, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Jack Sawyer).
Tennessee: One of college football’s most effective and understanding tailbacks is Dylan Sampson. In 10 out of 12 games this season, he has rushed for 100 yards or more.
DEFECTS
Ohio State: Josh Simmons, a left tackle, and Seth McLaughlin, a center, sustained injuries that ended their seasons. Can the Buckeyes, who didn’t add offensive line depth to their roster, withstand a formidable Tennessee defense?
Tennessee: Contrary to popular belief, Tennessee’s offense isn’t as potent. Out of the 12 teams in the CFP field, the Vols rank 10th with 56 plays of 20 yards or more this season.
Stories by
Johnny McGonigal
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