The opening round of the College Football Playoff is wrapping up, featuring the final matchup of Ohio State against Tennessee at Ohio Stadium, also known as “The Shoe.”

Both Tennessee and Ohio State are well-known teams in college football and entered the 12-team playoff as at-large selections after narrowly missing their conference championship games, which would have secured them a top-four bye in the playoffs.

This marks Tennessee’s first playoff appearance after finishing with a 10-2 record, including a significant win over Alabama, which played a role in their playoff selection. On the other hand, Ohio State is a playoff regular but faces criticism from its fans after losing to Michigan for the fourth consecutive year. The Buckeyes still aim for a national championship, but head coach Ryan Day is under pressure to lead the team on a successful playoff journey to secure his coaching future. The stakes are high: will Ohio State find a crucial win, or will Tennessee achieve an upset in front of over 100,000 fans?

This is the second meeting between Tennessee and Ohio State, and the winner of this first-round matchup will face a challenging opponent next. The winner will travel to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl Game to take on the No. 1 overall seed, Oregon, on New Year’s Day.

Stay updated with live scores and highlights from the College Football Playoff game featuring Tennessee and Ohio State:

Ohio State starts strong with another touchdown

The atmosphere at Ohio Stadium is vibrant with orange, but the home team is effectively keeping the opposing supporters quiet by racing to a 14-0 advantage just seven minutes into the game.

Ohio State executed a 68-yard drive in just five plays to secure a touchdown on their second possession. Quarterback Will Howard connected with Emeka Egbuka for a stunning 40-yard gain deep in the red zone, leading to Quinshon Judkins’ 1-yard touchdown run just two plays later.

Nico Iamaleava’s helmet issue

The physical play in the chilly weather is starting to impact players.

After Tennessee’s first drive resulted in a quick three-and-out, it was revealed that quarterback Nico Iamaleava had a cracked helmet, likely from a hit during a 3-yard run.

As reported by ESPN’s Marty Smith, Iamaleava returned to the field with a new helmet for Tennessee’s next offensive series.

Ohio State scores first after a facemask penalty extends their drive

Tennessee was on the verge of forcing a three-and-out, but instead, Ohio State capitalized on a penalty and scored a touchdown to kick off the game.

On Ohio State’s third play, Bryson Eason of Tennessee sacked Will Howard, but in the process, his hand made contact with Howard’s face mask. The officials threw a flag, allowing the Buckeyes to keep possession.

Taking advantage of the situation, Ohio State marched down the field, culminating in Howard’s beautiful 37-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith in the end zone, marking the game’s opening score.

When is the College Football Playoff game between Tennessee and Ohio State?

The College Football Playoff first-round game featuring the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers and No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes kicks off at 8 p.m. ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

How to watch the College Football Playoff game between Tennessee and Ohio State

The playoff game between No. 9 Tennessee and No. 8 Ohio State will be broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN.

Additionally, live streaming is available through Fubo, which offers a free trial.

Watch Tennessee vs. Ohio State with a Fubo subscription, which includes a free trial

Current College Football Playoff bracket:

CFP quarterfinals schedule

No. 7 Notre Dame won against No. 10 Indiana, 27-17; No. 6 Penn State defeated No. 11 SMU, 38-10; and No. 5 Texas triumphed over No. 12 Clemson, 38-24. Below is a current view of the bracket and upcoming quarterfinal matchups.

All times listed are in Eastern Time

TUESDAY, DEC. 31

• Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. Penn State, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1

• Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. Texas, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
• Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. Ohio State/Tennessee winner, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
• Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. Notre Dame, 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)

Tennessee vs. Ohio State betting odds

The Ohio State Buckeyes are favored to win against the Tennessee Volunteers in their first-round College Football Playoff matchup, as per BetMGM’s college football odds this Saturday.

• Spread: Ohio State (-7)
• Moneyline: Ohio State (-275); Tennessee (+220)
• Over/under: 46.5

CFP first-round predictions: Ohio State vs. Tennessee

YSL News Sports: No. 8 Ohio State defeats No. 9 Tennessee

Paul Myerberg comments: “This matchup stands out in the opening round and offers insights into how the playoff might unfold among the top teams from the Big Ten and SEC. With both teams showcasing similar strengths, two elements could sway the outcome in favor of Ohio State: home-field advantage and a the Buckeyes’ offense appears more reliable. Quarterback Will Howard for Ohio State boasts more experience and superior skill players. Nevertheless, a standout performance by Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava could easily turn the tide of this matchup.

ESPN: Ohio State favored with 65% chance to win

ESPN’s Matchup Predictor estimates that the Ohio State Buckeyes hold a 65.5% probability of defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in the opening round of the College Football Playoff.

College Football Network: A close prediction – Ohio State 27, Tennessee 23

Will Helms comments: “I am confident that Ohio State’s offense can effectively advance through the air, but Tennessee’s defensive line could thrive against a restructured Buckeyes offensive line. However, I believe that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will successfully create opportunities for top playmakers like Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. If this turns into a nail-biter, Ohio State’s experience may prove crucial. Despite my trust in the Volunteers as a solid bet in the opening round, I believe the Buckeyes’ experience and depth can see them through, but expect the Volunteers to keep it close.”

Sports Illustrated: Favoring Tennessee Volunteers

James Parks asserts: “Taking Tennessee +7.5 … We predict the Vols to secure a victory on the road, leveraging their dominant defensive front, which should overpower a Buckeyes O-line missing two key starters due to injury, while Dylan Sampson and Tennessee’s talented running game will contribute significantly.”

Bowl Game Predictions

Check out YSL News Sports’ expert forecasts for all college football bowl matchups.

College GameDay Launches for College Football Playoffs

“College GameDay” remains active during the postseason and even provided fans with a double feature. The program aired on Friday, Dec. 20, before the Indiana vs. Notre Dame game scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET, featuring comedian Shane Gillis as a special guest picker.

Keeping the momentum, they continued coverage of the CFP games on Saturday morning from Columbus, Ohio, beginning at 9 a.m. ET.

Tennessee vs. Ohio State: A Historical Context

The Tennessee Volunteers and Ohio State Buckeyes have only faced each other once historically, with the Volunteers emerging victorious, 20-14, in a Citrus Bowl match on New Year’s Day 1996.

College Football Playoff Bracket: Schedule Overview

The initial round of the CFP began on Friday, Dec. 19, wrapping up with three additional games on Dec. 20.

All times are Eastern.

FRIDAY, DEC. 20

• Game 1: No. 7 Notre Dame defeated No. 10 Indiana, 27-17

SATURDAY, DEC. 21

• Game 2: No. 6 Penn State defeated No. 11 SMU, 38-10, noon (TNT)
• Game 3: No. 5 Texas defeated No. 12 Clemson, 38-24
• Game 4: No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 9 Tennessee, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

CFP Quarterfinals Schedule

The quarterfinal matchups are set to occur on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, including one game on Dec. 31 and three on Jan. 1. All matchups will be shown on ESPN.

All times are Eastern.

TUESDAY, DEC. 31

• Fiesta Bowl: No. 3 Boise State vs. Penn State, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 1

• Peach Bowl: No. 4 Arizona State vs. Texas, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
• Rose Bowl: No. 1 Oregon vs. Winner of Ohio State/Tennessee, 5 p.m. (ESPN)
• Sugar Bowl: No. 2 Georgia vs. Notre Dame, 8:45 p.m. (ESPN)

CFP Semifinals Schedule

The semifinal games are scheduled for Jan. 9 and Jan. 10, with coverage provided by ESPN.

All times are Eastern.

THURSDAY, JAN. 9

• Orange Bowl: Winner of Fiesta Bowl vs. Winner of Sugar Bowl, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

FRIDAY, JAN. 10

• Cotton Bowl: Winner of Peach Bowl vs. Winner of Rose Bowl, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

CFP National Championship Game Schedule

MONDAY, JAN. 20

• Game: Winner of Orange Bowl vs. Winner of Cotton Bowl
• Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN

Catch the CFP games with Fubo.

CFP Rankings Overview

1. Oregon (Big Ten champion, No. 1 seed)*
2. Georgia (SEC champion, No. 2 seed)*
3. Texas (No. 5 seed)
4. Penn State (No. 6 seed)
5. Notre Dame (No. 7 seed)
6. Ohio State (No. 8 seed)
7. Tennessee (No. 9 seed)
8. Indiana (No. 10 seed)
9. Boise State (MWC champion, No. 3 seed)*
10. SMU (No. 11 seed)
11. Alabama
12. Arizona State (Big 12 champion, No. 4 seed)*
13. Miami
14. Mississippi
15. South Carolina
16. Clemson (ACC champion, No. 12 seed)**

*First-round bye; **Automatic bid

College Football Fix Podcast

The first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff is here. Four first-round games are scheduled to be hosted on campus, including one on Friday night and three on Saturday.

Historical moments will unfold on the field, but two games on Saturday will coincide with NFL broadcasts, potentially impacting viewership and sparking discussions about collegiate football scheduling. Additionally, the backdrop of significant player transfers in the portal affects some of the playoff-bound teams.

In this week’s College Football Fix, YSL News Sports’ Dan Wolken and Paul Myerberg delve into these topics and more.

2024 Season Predictions for College Football

The analysts over at YSL News Sports made their predictions for the 2024 season before it kicked off, identifying which 12 teams would qualify for the College Football Playoff.

• Scooby Axson: Ohio State
• Jordan Mendoza: Oregon
• Paul Myerberg: Georgia
• Erick Smith: Georgia
• Eddie Timanus: Ohio State
• Dan Wolken: Ohio State

What’s new in the College Football Playoff for 2024?

For the 2024-25 season, the College Football Playoff will feature 12 qualifying teams. The top five conference champions will secure automatic entries, with the top four receiving a bye in the first round. The remaining seven spots will go to the highest-ranked teams that are not champions.

How does the College Football Playoff format operate?

The 12 teams in the College Football Playoff consist of the five highest-ranked conference champions as per the CFP selection committee, along with the next seven top-ranked teams.

The four leading conference champions will be seeded 1 to 4 and will enjoy a first-round bye. The fifth-ranked conference champion will be seeded according to its ranking or, similar to Clemson’s situation this season, it may be placed at No. 12 if it falls outside the top 12 in the CFP ratings. For non-conference champions ranked within the top four, they will start being seeded at No. 5.

“Due to this,” the CFP cautions on its website, “the seeding from 1 to 12 may differ from the final rankings.”

Bowl Game Schedule: Complete Dates and Times for College Football Postseason

This college football postseason is set to be unique in the sport’s history. With the inaugural year of the expanded playoff system, the season will extend until the third week of January. Throughout this time, there will be 11 matchups that will determine the national champion, with some games taking place on campus for the first time and including six major bowl games. — Erick Smith

Shifts in the Bowl Seasons: What Changes Should Be Made to College Football’s Postseason?

The time is ripe for considering modifications. In 2026, upon the expiration of all existing agreements, the College Football Playoff is projected to grow to 14 teams. This will surely influence the bowls, which currently total 35 aside from those connected to the playoff.

However, it’s important to remember that bowl season, despite its flaws, is closely tied to ESPN’s programming for December. ESPN controls and runs 17 of these games and holds broadcast contracts with nearly all others. It will be challenging to persuade college football’s key business partner that bowl games are unnecessary, especially since they fill television slots during the holidays that often attract more viewers than NBA, college basketball, or NHL regular-season games, which would otherwise occupy that space. — Dan Wolken