Ohio State football looked like a completely different team on Saturday night in the College Football Playoff.
The No. 8 Buckeyes, who were upset by archrival Michigan 13-10 in their last outing, dominated No. 9 Tennessee from start to finish in the first round of the CFP at Ohio Stadium, defeating the Vols 42-17 in one of the best showings of coach Ryan Day’s career.
REQUIRED READING:Ohio State football tops Tennessee in CFP, advances to Rose Bowl meeting with No. 1 Oregon
Quarterback Will Howard was sensational, completing 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards with two touchdowns to an interception. Six of those passes went to true freshman Jeremiah Smith, who finished with 103 receiving yards and two scores.
The Buckeyes‘ running back tandem of Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson also combined for 114 rushing yards with four touchdowns against Tennessee.
Next, Ohio State rematches No. 1 Oregon at the Rose Bowl, which will certainly be one of the most anticipated games of the season. With how OSU beat Tennessee on Saturday, momentum might just be in its favor.
Here’s a recap of Ohio State’s first-round CFP win, including updates and highlights:
REQUIRED READING:Ohio State vs Oregon tickets for Rose Bowl in CFP: Prices, how to buy
Ohio State vs Tennessee score updates
TEAMS1Q2Q3Q4QFTennessee0100717Ohio State21014742
Ohio State football vs Tennessee updates
Ohio State wins it
Ohio State wins in dominant fashion, taking down Tennessee 42-17 at home.
The Buckeyes now look to get revenge on at the Rose Bowl against Oregon, who beat them earlier this season in Eugene.
Tennessee scores late touchdown
Vols score their first points of the second half on Iamaleava’s 2-yard rushing touchdown, his second score of the night.
Ohio State leads 42-17 with 1:56 left in the fourth quarter.
Devin Brown enters at quarterback
Ohio State pulls its starters, with backup quarterback Devin Brown entering the game. Brown, interestingly enough, is actually in the transfer portal.
Sign of the times in college football.
Ohio State tacks on another touchdown
Buckeyes take 42-10 lead on Henderson’s 24-yard touchdown run.
It’s time for Tennessee to start warming up the buses. Ohio State is going to rematch No. 1 Oregon at the Rose Bowl in the quarterfinals.
Ohio State takes 35-10 lead
That touchdown might be the final straw for the Vols, as Ohio State takes a 35-10 lead on the 1-yard touchdown run by Judkins.
Howard has been sensational, with 311 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-28 passing.
Tennessee punts
Buckeyes doing a nice job containing Tennessee, who’s leaning on Iamaleava in the quarterback run game. Ohio State takes over on its own 19-yard line after the punt, looking to blow this game open with 6:04 left in the third quarter.
Ohio State adds to lead
Howard throws a gorgeous pass to Smith for a 22-yard touchdown, as Smith found himself in a 1-on-1 situation again and burnt his defender to give Ohio State a 28-10 lead.
Smith is up to six receptions for 102 yards with two touchdowns on the night.
Tennessee punts
Ohio State stops Tennessee on third-and-7, as the Buckeyes pick up a tackle for loss to push the Vols back to fourth-and-12.
OSU takes over on its own 35-yard line for its first possession of the second half.
Ohio State misses field goal as time expires
Jayden Fielding lines up for a 56-yard field goal before halftime, but can’t convert the kick.
Ohio State leads 21-10 at halftime.
Ohio State allows touchdown
Ohio State allows a touchdown with 20 seconds before halftime, as Iamaleava punches in a 2-yard rushing score on the designed quarterback run.
Tennessee ends the half with 10 unanswered points, cutting into Ohio State’s 21-10 lead.
Squirrel White injury update
Tennessee receiver Squirrel White was shown on the broadcast heading to the locker room early with a noticeable limp. It’s unclear what the injury was, but Tennessee will hope to have one of its most explosive receivers back for the second half.
Ohio State goes three-and-out
Howard throws a screen pass to Egbuka on third-and-1, but Tennessee stuffs the try and forces an Ohio State punt.
Tennessee regains possession on its own 21-yard line.
Tennessee gets on the board
Ohio State holds Tennessee to a field goal, which the Vols make from 36 yards.
Ohio State leads 21-3 with 6:39 left until halftime.
Ohio State interception called back
Ohio State dials up the pressure and forces Iamaleava to throw an interception, but Davison Igbinosun’s catch is negated by a roughing the passer penalty on Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Tennessee reaches the red zone after the 15-yard penalty.
Tennessee intercepts Howard
Howard attempts a throw to Smith in the end zone, but the pass is tipped and caught by Tennessee’s Will Brooks.
Not an ideal play for Ohio State, who gives Tennessee some life as it was close to going up 28-0.
Ohio State converts fourth-down try
Howard passes to Smith for a 10-yard gain on fourth-and-4, keeping the chains moving.
Ohio State is driving and returns from a TV timeout on Tennessee’s 37-yard line. Buckeyes looking to take a commanding 28-0 lead in the second quarter.
Tennessee punts
Ohio State allows Tennessee to get a first down for the first time but ultimately keeps the Vols from gaining momentum and forces another punt.
A score here would put the Buckeyes, already up 21-0 after a quarter, in tremendous position. Ohio State has outgained Tennessee 205-16 in the first quarter.
Ohio State goes up 21-0
Ohio State is 3 for 3 on scoring drives, as TreVeyon Henderson punches in a 29-yard touchdown with 3:27 left in the first quarter.
Buckeyes drive 58 yards on seven plays in 3:22 of game time. Howard is up to 9 of 11 passing for 154 yards with a touchdown before the first quarter is over.
Ohio State has outgained the Vols with 191 yards to Tennessee’s -6 yards so far. That’ll play.
Ohio State forces another three-and-out
Ohio State is absolutely dominating early, as it forces another three-and-out deep in Tennessee’s own territory. JT Tuimoloau sacked Iamaleava on second-and-11 to move the Vols back to third-and-23 before the punt.
Buckeyes take over with good field position on their own 42-yard line.
Ohio State goes up 14-0
Buckeyes offense has had a perfect start, as Quinshon Judkins plunges in a 1-yard touchdown to give Ohio State a 14-0 lead.
Tennessee and Nico Iamaleava have dug themselves an early hole.
Ohio State passing attack cooking early
Howard is having a ton of success airing it out in the first quarter, as he throws back-to-back passes for 18 yards and 40 yards to Smith and Emeka Egbuka, respectively.
Howard is up to 5 of 6 passing for 124 yards and a touchdown already with 9:26 left in the first quarter.
Ohio State forces three-and-out
Nice start for the Buckeyes, who force a three-and-out after scoring the first touchdown of the game.
Ohio State takes over on its own 32-yard line, looking to take a commanding lead early.
Ohio State strikes first
Jeremiah Smith is him. Will Howard throws a gorgeous pass to Smith, who comes down with a 37-yard touchdown in a 1-on-1 situation.
Buckeyes take a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter.
Ohio State receives first
Ohio State loses the coin toss, and Tennessee defers. Buckeyes offense getting started first.
Here we go.
Large amount of Vols fans travel
Tennessee fans traveled to Columbus in full force for the CFP game, with orange sticking out in the stands throughout Ohio Stadium. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reports more than 30,000 Tennessee fans are expected, which projects to be one of the largest road contingents ever at The Shoe.
Tennessee aiming to set the tone early
The Vols are trying to set the tone in Columbus, as numerous players came out for pregame warmups without shirts on. Mind you, it’s currently 25 degrees before kickoff.
“College GameDay” all pick Ohio State
It was a clean sweep for Ohio State on “College GameDay” Saturday morning, as each of the five panelists chose the Buckeyes over the Vols.
The Shoe is set for CFP matchup
Ohio Stadium is decked out in College Football Playoff decals for the Buckeyes’ game against Tennessee on Saturday:
Ohio State vs Tennessee time today
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 21
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Ohio State and Tennessee will play at 8 p.m. ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus for a first-round College Football Playoff matchup. The winner plays No. 1 Oregon in the CFP quarterfinals on New Year’s Day.
REQUIRED READING:How Ohio State football has prepared for winter weather ahead of its first home CFP game
What channel is Ohio State vs Tennessee on today?
- TV channel: ABC/ESPN
- Livestream: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
- Radio: 97.1 FM
The Buckeyes vs. Vols game will be broadcast nationally on ABC. Chris Fowler(play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will have the call from the booth, while Holly Rowe will serve as the sideline reporter.
The game can also be streamed on the ESPN app or Fubo, the latter of which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers select users a free trial.
Ohio State vs Tennessee history
- Series record: Tennessee leads, 1-0
- Ohio State’s last win: N/A
- Tennessee’s last win: 1996 (20-14)
REQUIRED READING:Dwelling on Michigan loss could spell doom for Ohio State football against Tennessee
Ohio State vs Tennessee predictions
Here is how national media are picking Ohio State vs. Tennessee:
Ohio State vs Tennessee betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Dec. 19
- Odds: Ohio State (-7.5)
- Over/under: 46.5
- Moneyline: Ohio State (-300) | Tennessee (+240)
Ohio State vs Tennessee injury updates
This section will be updated.
Ohio State vs Tennessee weather updates
According to hourly forecasts for Columbus, Ohio from Weather.com, it will be 24 degrees at 8 p.m. ET, the scheduled kickoff time for Ohio State-Tennessee on Saturday. The forecast calls for partly cloudy weather with a 1% chance of rain.
Ohio State football schedule 2024
- Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Akron (W, 52-6)
- Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Western Michigan (W, 56-0)
- Saturday, Sept. 14: BYE
- Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Marshall (W, 49-14)
- Thursday, Sept. 26: at Michigan State* (W, 38-7)
- Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Iowa* (W, 35-7)
- Saturday, Oct. 12: at No. 3 Oregon* (L, 32-31)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 26: vs. Nebraska* (W, 21-17)
- Saturday, Nov. 2: at No. 3 Penn State* (W, 20-13)
- Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Purdue* (W, 45-0)
- Saturday, Nov. 16: at Northwestern* (W, 31-7)
- Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. No. 5 Indiana (W, 38-15)
- Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Michigan* (L, 13-10)
- Saturday, Dec. 21: vs. No. 9 Tennessee (CFP first-round) **
- Record: 10-2, 7-2 Big Ten
* Denotes Big Ten game
** Denotes CFP ranking
Tennessee football 2024 schedule
- Saturday, Aug. 31: vs. Chattanooga (W, 69-3)
- Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. No. 24 NC State (W, 51-10)
- Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Kent State (W, 71-0)
- Saturday, Sept. 21: at No. 15 Oklahoma* (W, 25-15)
- Saturday, Sept. 28: BYE
- Saturday, Oct. 5: at Arkansas* (L, 19-14)
- Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Florida* (W, 23-17, OT)
- Saturday, Oct. 19: vs. No. 7 Alabama* (W, 24-17)
- Saturday, Oct. 26: BYE
- Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. Kentucky* (W, 28-18)
- Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Mississippi State* (W, 33-14)
- Saturday, Nov. 16: at No. 10 Georgia* (L, 31-17)
- Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. UTEP (W, 56-0)
- Saturday, Nov. 30: at Vanderbilt* (W, 36-23)
- Saturday, Dec. 21: at No. 8 Ohio State (CFP first-round) **
- Record: 10-2, 6-2 SEC
* Denotes SEC game
** Denotes CFP ranking
Ohio State football news
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.