With the first round a week out, we look ahead to the Ohio State Buckeyes showdown with the Tennessee Volunteers to open up the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard looks for an open receiver against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. One of the top games of the first round of the new 12-team College Football Playoff will be No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes hosting the No. 9 seed Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday, December 21.
Ohio State’s loss to Michigan was rough, but last time the Buckeyes entered the postseason following an embarrassing defeat to the Wolverines, they took Georgia to the wire. While they won’t have C.J. Stroud under center, the Ohio State certainly is a CFP title contender. With less room for error, Ohio State can’t have these cold spells so often. Tennessee is a good first test, as the Volunteers have strengths similar to Ohio State on both sides of the football. A win at home to open the playoff against a very capable Tennessee program should shake off any concerns for Ryan Day’s squad as they look to make a run through the field of 12.The Volunteers' roster strengths play exceptionally well against the Buckeyes.