Tennessee vs. Ohio State: Who will prevail? Current odds for CFP predictions
With Ohio State being seeded No. 8 in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, they are set to face off against the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers. Both teams boast identical records of 10-2 and are considered evenly matched, leading to a wide range of predictions regarding the outcome of the game.
Predictions for Ohio State vs. Tennessee
From Joey Kaufman of The Dispatch:
- Ohio State 30, Tennessee 24
Kaufman’s prediction leans toward Ohio State recovering from their tough loss to Michigan and making a strong return in the playoffs. He believes the Buckeyes’ resilience will come to the forefront, recalling their near-upset of Georgia in the previous playoff, where they came close to defeating the eventual national champions on their home turf. Tennessee, while strong with its fast-paced offense led by Dylan Sampson, the SEC’s leading rusher, has not been as explosive as past Tennessee teams. The Volunteers have a new starting quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, a redshirt freshman, and Kaufman expects Ohio State’s defense, under Jim Knowles, to step up and secure a narrow win. - Ohio State 24, Tennessee 20
Kaufman also sees Ohio State’s defense being key in a tight contest. While Tennessee’s defensive line is formidable, Kaufman is confident that Ohio State’s offense, under the guidance of Ryan Day and Chip Kelly, will adapt and find success. Ohio State is expected to lean on its passing game to open up the run, ultimately securing a win and advancing to face Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
From Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY:
- Ohio State over Tennessee
Myerberg highlights the match as the premier matchup of the opening round, offering a glimpse into how future playoff games might play out between teams from the Big Ten and the SEC. He notes that both teams are evenly matched, but he gives the edge to Ohio State for two primary reasons: the Buckeyes’ homefield advantage and the more experienced offense. Ohio State’s quarterback, Will Howard, is described as having more experience and a stronger set of skill players at his disposal. While Tennessee’s quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, has the potential to turn the game in his team’s favor with a big performance, Myerberg believes Ohio State’s strengths will prevail.
Ohio State’s Road to the National Title
For Ohio State to win the national championship, they will need to win four games, starting with their quarterfinal matchup against Oregon in the Rose Bowl on January 1. The semifinal games, scheduled for January 9 and 10, will be held at the Orange Bowl and the Cotton Bowl. The championship game will take place in Atlanta on January 20.
Predictions from Rob Oller of The Dispatch:
Oller also shares his predictions for the College Football Playoff:
First Round:
- Ohio State over Tennessee
- Texas over Clemson
- Penn State over SMU
- Notre Dame over Indiana
Quarterfinals:
- Texas over Arizona State
- Ohio State over Oregon
- Penn State over Boise
- Georgia over Indiana
Semifinals:
- Texas over Ohio State
- Georgia over Penn State
According to Oller’s predictions, Ohio State will secure a victory in the first round but ultimately fall short in the semifinals against Texas. He anticipates a high-stakes matchup between Texas and Georgia in the final.
Analysis of the Matchup: Ohio State vs. Tennessee
As the matchup between Ohio State and Tennessee approaches, analysts have pointed out the similarities and differences between the two teams. Both teams have solid 10-2 records, and both come from conferences known for their competitive football programs. Ohio State, hailing from the Big Ten, has been a consistent powerhouse under head coach Ryan Day, while Tennessee, representing the SEC, has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years under head coach Josh Heupel.
A key factor in this game will be Ohio State’s ability to bounce back after their disappointing loss to Michigan. The Buckeyes were in a similar situation two years ago, when they made an impressive playoff run after a heartbreaking loss to Michigan. This resilience could prove vital in their matchup against Tennessee.
Tennessee, on the other hand, comes into the game with a potent offense led by Dylan Sampson, the SEC’s leading rusher. However, their offense hasn’t been as explosive this season as it was in previous years, largely due to the inexperience of their quarterback, Nico Iamaleava. Iamaleava, a redshirt freshman, has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to fully develop into the kind of playmaker Tennessee fans hoped he would be.
On defense, Tennessee will look to disrupt Ohio State’s offense, but the Buckeyes’ offensive line and quarterback Will Howard are experienced and should be able to handle the pressure. Ohio State’s defense, led by Jim Knowles, is also a force to be reckoned with and will likely have the upper hand in containing Iamaleava and the Volunteer offense.
Ohio State’s experience and talent across both sides of the ball could give them the advantage in this matchup. However, Tennessee’s potential to pull off an upset cannot be ignored, especially if Iamaleava performs well under the pressure of a playoff game.
Final Thoughts
While predictions for the Ohio State vs. Tennessee game vary, the consensus is that Ohio State has the edge due to their homefield advantage, experienced offense, and solid defense. The Buckeyes will need to put their disappointing loss to Michigan behind them and play with the same intensity and resilience they displayed in past playoff runs. If they can execute their game plan and contain Tennessee’s offense, Ohio State has a strong chance of advancing to the next round of the playoffs.
Tennessee, for their part, will rely heavily on their offense to keep up with Ohio State, but much will depend on the performance of Nico Iamaleava. If he can step up and deliver a standout performance, the Volunteers could very well spring an upset.
Ultimately, this game promises to be one of the most intriguing matchups of the opening round, with both teams possessing the talent and the drive to make a deep playoff run. Fans of both programs will be eagerly watching to see who comes out on top in this highly anticipated showdown.
