College Football Playoff First Round: Tennessee vs Ohio State Pick

In this thrilling College Football Playoff first round, the Tennessee vs Ohio State pick is one of the most highly anticipated matchups, as both teams aim to advance and move one step closer to the national championship. With strong records and contrasting styles of play, this game promises to deliver plenty of excitement and big moments.

College Football Playoff First Round Winning Pick: Tennessee vs Ohio State
NCAAF Playoff Chaos: Wildest Weekend in College Football

2024 NCAA Division I FBS Football Season | 155th season of college football in the United States
First round: Friday, December 20th, 2024 – Saturday, December 21st, 2024

Betting College Football Playoff First Round Winning Pick

The College Football Playoff first round ends with a matchup between Ohio State and Tennessee.

Both teams enter with strong records and the goal of advancing to the next round.

Ohio State is the No. 8 seed and will play at home as a 7.5-point favorite.

Tennessee, the No. 9 seed, has shown flashes of domination this season but has struggled at times on the road.

The winner of this game will face the top-seeded Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinals, making this a critical step for both programs.

Fans can expect a hard-fought game with strengths and weaknesses on both sides.

Ohio State has one of the best defenses in the country, while Tennessee leans on a balanced offensive attack led by their star quarterback and running back.

These teams have only faced off once before, in the 1996 Citrus Bowl, where Tennessee emerged victorious.

Both teams have different styles, but the stakes are the same: keep the season alive and move one step closer to the National Championship.

2024 College Football Playoff First Round: Tennessee Volunteers (10-3) vs Ohio State Buckeyes (9-4)
Saturday, December 21st at 8:00 pm ET – ABC, ESPN | Tennessee Stadium, Columbus, OH

ATS Odds:: Ohio State -7.5
SU Odds: Ohio State -290 / Tennessee +230
Over/Under Odds: 46

Writer’s Picks for the CFP First Round Game

Why Tennessee Could Win

Tennessee enters the game with a 10-2 record and one of the best rushing attacks in college football.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been a solid leader, throwing for 2,512 yards and 19 touchdowns this season.

He’s also a threat on the ground, with 311 rushing yards to his name.

Running back Dylan Sampson has carried the offense, rushing for 1,485 yards and scoring 22 touchdowns.

The Volunteers have a physical offensive line that helps them control the pace of games, especially when their passing game struggles.

The Volunteers’ defense has been strong, ranking fourth in points allowed per game.

They’ve been effective at stopping the run and forcing turnovers, which could be key against an Ohio State offense that has stumbled in high-pressure games.

Linebacker Arion Carter leads the team in tackles, while James Pearce Jr. has made an impact with 7.5 sacks.

The secondary, led by Will Brooks and Jermod McCoy, has created big plays with multiple interceptions.

If Tennessee can establish their run game and force turnovers, they’ll have a path to victory.

Why Ohio State Could Win

Ohio State brings a 10-2 record and the No. 1 defense in the nation into this matchup.

The Buckeyes allow the fewest points and yards per game of any team, making them a tough opponent for Tennessee’s offense.

Defensive stars like Sonny Styles, who leads the team in tackles, and JT Tuimoloau, with six sacks, make the Buckeyes a force up front.

On offense, quarterback Will Howard has been consistent, throwing for 2,860 yards and 27 touchdowns while keeping interceptions to a minimum.

Wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka are reliable targets, combining for over 1,600 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns.

The Buckeyes also have a strong running game led by Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, who provide balance and the ability to control the clock.

Prediction

This game has the potential to be one of the closest matchups of the first round.

Tennessee’s offense can be dangerous if they establish the run, but Ohio State’s defense has been nearly impossible to score on.

The Volunteers’ strong defense should keep them in the game, but their struggles on the road and Ohio State’s home-field advantage could make the difference.

The Buckeyes’ balanced attack and ability to shut down opposing offenses give them the edge.

Expect this to be a low-scoring game, with both defenses taking center stage.

Ohio State’s ability to capitalize on Tennessee’s weaknesses will likely secure them the win, but the Volunteers should keep the score within a touchdown.

Final Score Prediction: Ohio State 24, Tennessee 20

NCAAF Bowl ATS Pick: Tennessee +7.5

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Interim coaches guide Ohio State, Tennessee into Cure Bowlhttps://t.co/tIeXBstabh
— everynews (@PepeArbaz) December 17, 2024

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MyBookie offers the current College Football betting lines for the season to win.

Who Will Reign Supreme? 2025 College Football National Championship Odds Revealed!

Team	Odds
Ohio State Buckeyes	-370
Texas Longhorns	+285

Bet College Football National Championship Lines

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Make sure to check out the latest CFP picks, Ohio State lines, and Tennessee odds for this pivotal game.

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What are the College Football Playoff First Round Games? Let’s Find Out

The College Football Playoff (CFP) First Round consists of four teams, which are selected to play in two games as part of the CFP semifinals. The teams are typically ranked based on their performance throughout the season, with the top four teams in the nation earning a spot in the CFP. These two semifinal matchups are often played in neutral-site locations, and the winners advance to the CFP National Championship Game.

For the 2024-2025 season, the format will be slightly different, as the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff will begin. However, for the purpose of this response, I’ll focus on the traditional CFP First Round for a 4-team playoff, which typically includes:

1. Sugar Bowl (CFP Semifinal)

Location: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Date: January 1, 2025 (Typically)
Matchup: The No. 1 seed plays the No. 4 seed (chosen by selection committee rankings).

2. Rose Bowl (CFP Semifinal)

Location: Rose Bowl Stadium, Pasadena, California
Date: January 1, 2025 (Typically)
Matchup: The No. 2 seed plays the No. 3 seed (chosen by selection committee rankings).

Expanded 12-Team College Football Playoff (Starting in 2024):

In 2024, the CFP format will expand to 12 teams, meaning the playoff will have first-round games that involve teams ranked No. 5 to No. 12. This round will be held at the higher-seeded team’s home stadium rather than at neutral sites like the current system. The top four seeds will get first-round byes and automatically advance to the quarterfinals. (Check out our deep dive into Understanding College Football Playoff)

The exact matchups will depend on the final rankings, but for the 12-team playoff, here’s a breakdown of the first-round matchups:

2024 College Football Playoff First Round (12-Team Format):

Matchup 1: No. 5 seed vs. No. 12 seed
Matchup 2: No. 6 seed vs. No. 11 seed
Matchup 3: No. 7 seed vs. No. 10 seed
Matchup 4: No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed

The higher-ranked team in each game will host the matchup in their home stadium. After the first round, the tournament progresses to the quarterfinals, where the top four seeds will enter the competition, and the remaining teams will fight for a spot in the CFP semifinals.

In short, the CFP First Round games in the current 4-team playoff are the semifinal matchups (Sugar Bowl and Rose Bowl). However, in the 2024-2025 season with the expanded 12-team playoff, the first-round games will include matchups between teams ranked 5 through 12, with higher seeds hosting at their home stadiums.

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