No. 8 seed Ohio State hosts No. 9 seed Tennessee in a high-stakes College Football Playoff first-round matchup at Ohio Stadium. Both teams enter with identical 10-2 records, but only one will advance to face No. 1 seed Oregon in the CFP quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. With Ohio State recovering from a surprising loss to Michigan, and Tennessee riding a dominant defensive season, this matchup promises to be a physical and competitive battle under the lights in Columbus.
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee brings one of the nation’s most dominant defenses to this matchup, ranking fourth nationally in total defense (278.3 yards per game) and scoring defense (13.9 points per game). Defensive end James Pearce Jr. leads the Volunteers with 11 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks, making him a key player in disrupting Ohio State’s offensive rhythm.
Offensively, quarterback Nico Iamaleava has shown flashes of brilliance, throwing for 2,753 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only four interceptions. He’ll rely on his offensive line and running game, led by Dylan Sampson, to create opportunities against a Buckeyes defense that allows just 96.8 rushing yards per game.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State enters this matchup aiming to bounce back from a shocking 13-10 loss to Michigan. Quarterback Will Howard leads an explosive passing attack, highlighted by standout receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has 934 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns this season. Smith was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Receiver of the Year, adding another weapon to an already potent offense.
Defensively, Ohio State boasts the top unit in the nation, allowing just 241.1 yards per game. Their pass defense, ranked second nationally, will be critical in limiting Iamaleava’s ability to find his receivers downfield. The Buckeyes also bring a strong pass rush, averaging 2.9 sacks per game, which could put pressure on Tennessee’s offensive line.
Prediction
This game will likely be a low-scoring affair, with both defenses playing at an elite level. Tennessee’s ability to stop the run and Ohio State’s dominance in the secondary will force both teams to rely on their quarterbacks to make key plays. While Tennessee has the defensive edge, Ohio State’s home-field advantage and balanced offense should help them prevail in a close contest.
- Pick: Ohio State 24, Tennessee 20
