As the College Football Playoff heats up, several high-stakes matchups are set for the first round, and Tennessee’s game against Ohio State stands out. Historically, SEC teams don’t face Big Ten teams often, and Tennessee’s rare encounters with Ohio State have been memorable. The last time they met was in the 1995 Citrus Bowl, where Tennessee upset Ohio State 20-14 to finish the season 11-1.
This time, however, the stakes are much higher. Ohio State enters the game as the favorite, boasting a more complete roster and the advantage of playing at home in Columbus. The Buckeyes have had a solid season, defeating playoff teams Indiana and Penn State, and narrowly losing to No. 1 Oregon. Tennessee, on the other hand, has a major win over Alabama but faltered in their loss to Georgia.
One area where Tennessee could have an advantage is their defensive front, which will need to control Ohio State’s offensive line. The Vols will need to replicate Michigan’s strategy from their recent win over Ohio State—running the ball effectively, stopping the Buckeyes’ run game, and pressuring their quarterback into mistakes. If Tennessee can dominate the line of scrimmage, they could pull off an upset, with a prediction of Tennessee 20, Ohio State 17.
Other matchups include Indiana versus Notre Dame, where Indiana’s strong defense could provide a challenge for the Irish. Texas faces Clemson, where the Longhorns’ offensive struggles against Georgia are a concern. Penn State is favored over SMU in what promises to be an exciting game, while Florida takes on Tulane in the Gasparilla Bowl.
The first round of the College Football Playoff is shaping up to be full of surprises and drama, with the SEC teams holding the potential for some big upsets.