Ohio State and Texas Dominate in College Football Playoff First Round

Ohio State's decisive win over Tennessee and Texas' strong performance against Clemson highlight the opening round of the expanded 12-team playoff format.

• Ohio State overwhelmed Tennessee 42-17, showcasing a dominant offense and defense, and advancing to face Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
• Texas defeated Clemson 38-24, relying on a powerful ground game with 292 rushing yards and key defensive stands to secure their spot in the Peach Bowl against Arizona State.
• The first round of the new 12-team College Football Playoff format saw all home teams secure double-digit victories, raising questions about competitiveness and selection criteria.
• Critics of the playoff selection process pointed to lopsided losses by SMU and Indiana as evidence of potential flaws in the current format.
• Despite the lack of close games, the on-campus playoff environments were praised for their energy and atmosphere, setting a strong foundation for future iterations of the format.

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