Ohio State and Tennessee Face Off in First Round of Expanded College Football Playoff

Ohio State seeks redemption after Michigan loss, while Tennessee embraces its first-ever playoff appearance in a historic matchup.

Ohio State, the No. 8 seed, hosts No. 9 seed Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday night in Columbus, Ohio.
The Buckeyes aim to rebound from a disappointing season, including a fourth straight loss to Michigan, which has intensified scrutiny on head coach Ryan Day.
Tennessee, making its first playoff appearance, faces a challenging path, with the winner set to face top-seeded Oregon in the quarterfinals.
Ohio State’s injury-plagued offensive line will be tested against Tennessee’s formidable defense, ranked fourth nationally in points allowed and led by standout pass rusher James Pearce Jr.
Both teams bring strong narratives: Ohio State seeks to validate its playoff spot and Day’s tenure, while Tennessee looks to capitalize on its resurgence under coach Josh Heupel.