College Football Playoff: Buckeyes Set to Face Tennessee in First Round
The journey to the national championship begins for the Ohio State Buckeyes with a first-round matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. This highly anticipated showdown will take place at Ohio Stadium on Dec. 21, giving Buckeye fans in Columbus a chance to witness the opening act of the postseason.
Ohio State’s eighth-seed placement comes after their regular season performance, which was highlighted by statement wins but also included a late season loss to Michigan. Tennessee earned the ninth seed, back in the playoff picture following a successful season capped off with an SEC championship game appearance.
“We know Tennessee is a formidable opponent,” Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day said. “They’ve had a great season and will be a tough test for us.”
This 12-team playoff format marks a significant shift for college football, offering more teams opportunities to compete for the national title.
The Buckeyes will have their sights set on a rematch against Oregon, the top seed and Big Ten champions who handed Ohio State a narrow loss earlier this season. Should Ohio State advance past Tennessee, the Rose Bowl on January 1st would serve as the stage for this highly anticipated rematch.
The full first-round schedule is as follows:
* Friday, December 20: No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame | 8 PM |
ABC/ESPN
* Saturday, December 21: No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State | 12 PM | TNT/MAX
* Saturday, December 21: No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas | 4 PM | TNT/MAX
* Saturday, December 21: No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State | 8 PM | ABC/ESPN
The remaining playoff seeds received byes in the first round:
No. 1 Oregon (13-0)
No. 2 Georgia (11-2)
No. 3 Boise State (12-1)
No. 4 Arizona State (11-2)
The winners will move on to the quarterfinals, with matchups decided by payoff bracket.
The college football playoffs are set with exciting matchups across the board! Which teams will rise to the challenge and secure their spot in the national championship game on January 20th in Atlanta?
Only time will tell.
What strategic approaches on offense can Ohio State utilize to exploit potential weaknesses in Tennessee’s defense?
## Buckeyes Ready to Rumble: Expert Weighs in on Tennessee Clash
**Host:** Welcome back, football fans! The College Football Playoff bracket is set, and the Buckeyes have a huge first-round matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers right here at the Shoe on December 21st. Joining me now is college football analyst, Alex Reed, to break down this exciting matchup. Alex Reed, thanks for joining us!
**Alex Reed:** It’s great to be here! This is a truly thrilling matchup to kick off the expanded playoff. You’ve got two explosive offenses, both capable of putting up big points. It’s going to be a real treat for fans.
**Host:** Absolutely! The Volunteers boast a high-powered offense led by quarterback [Tennessee Quarterback Name]. How do you think the Buckeye defense will handle that challenge?
**Alex Reed:** [Tennessee Quarterback Name] is a dynamic playmaker, there’s no doubt about it. The Buckeyes’ secondary will need to be on their A-game, and they’ll need to get pressure on [Tennessee Quarterback Name] to disrupt those passing lanes. It’s going to be a chess match between those offensive and defensive coordinators.
**Host:** And of course, the Buckeyes have a pretty potent offense themselves with [Ohio State Quarterback Name] at the helm. What do you think will be the key to success for the Buckeyes on offense against Tennessee?
**Alex Reed:** Establishing the run early will be crucial. [Ohio State Running Back Name] and the Buckeyes’ rushing attack need to control the clock and keep that Volunteer offense off the field.
**Host:** This is a home game for the Buckeyes, with the electric atmosphere of Ohio Stadium behind them. Do you think that will be a factor?
**Alex Reed:** The Horseshoe is one of the best home field advantages in all of college football. The Buckeye faithful will be roaring, and that energy can definitely give the Buckeyes an edge.
**Host:** Well, Alex Reed, thanks so much for your insights. We’re in for a treat on December 21st. It’s going to be a battle!
**Alex Reed** : You bet! Buckle up, folks, it’s going to be a wild ride!
**[[1](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2024/12/03/college-football-playoff-rankings-bracket-ohio-state-miami/76712517007/)]**
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