The 2024-25 College Football Playoff bracket is set, and the most intriguing first-round matchup features the #9 Tennessee Volunteers traveling to Colombus, Ohio for a matchup with the #8 Ohio State Buckeyes. Both teams had fantastic seasons and just missed out on a conference championship appearance, and the winner of this game will have to take on the #1 Oregon Ducks. 

There’s plenty to break down for this game, so let’s get into our Tennessee vs Ohio State CFB picks.

Tennessee Volunteers Regular Season Recap

The Tennessee Volunteers enter this matchup after finishing the regular season 10-2, good for third place in the SEC. Highlights include a 24-17 win over Alabama and 51-10 drumming of NC State, but they fell short in two road games against Arkansas 19-14 and Georgia 31-17. The offense averaged 37.2 ppg (eighth in the country), spearheaded by QB Nico Iamaleava, who threw for 2,512 yards, 19 TDs and five INTs. Additionally, they have an elite rushing attack led by RB Dylan Sampson, who recorded 1,485 rushing yards and 22 TDs and was the main figurehead for a team that ranked ninth in the country with 232.0 rushing yards per contest.

Although the offense has its highlights, the main strength of this team comes on the defensive side of the ball. Tennessee allowed just 13.92 ppg(tied-fourth in the country), giving up just 2.83 rushing yards per carry (fourth in the country) and 99.6 rushing yards per game (eighth in the country). It will be interesting to see how Ohio State tries to attack this defense, but if there is any weak point, it’s their passing defense. The Vols allowed 10.77 yards per completion (20th in the country), which is lower than Indiana, Iowa, Penn State and Oregon, which are teams the Buckeyes faced and averaged 229.5 passing yards per game against.

Ohio State Buckeyes Regular Season Recap

Like Tennessee, Ohio State finished third in their conference because they fell to the Michigan Wolverines 13-10 in the final game of the season. It was a shocking upset, as the Buckeyes yielded their lowest offensive output of the season, so it will be interesting to see how they respond. The Buckeyes averaged 35.5 ppg (tied-17th in the country) and mainly leaned on their QB Will Howard and their passing attack, as they put up 254.3 passing yards per game (38th in the country) and have elite talent at the wide receiver position, as Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate all tallied 500+ receiving yards and more than 12 yards per reception.

The real strength of this Buckeyes squad is their defense. Ohio State allowed the fewest ppg (10.92), the second-fewest passing ypg (144.2) and the seventh-fewest rushing ypg (96.8). As good as Tennessee is on defense, Ohio State is better, and I anticipate a low-scoring affair in Columbus. The Buckeyes’ lone defeats this year came against one of the best offenses in the country in Oregon and when they got caught in a dogfight against Michigan. If the Vols want to advance, they will need big days from Iamaleava and Sampson, or they will have to bait the Buckeyes into another dogfight.

Tennessee vs Ohio State NCAAF Picks

This game should be extremely competitive, but when looking at both teams’ strengths and weaknesses, the most intriguing matchup will be Ohio State QB Will Howard going up against this Tennessee secondary. In the Vols’ two losses this year, Arkansas torched them for 297 passing yards while Georgia put up 347 yards through the air. HC Ryan Day must trust his transfer QB on Saturday if he wants another shot at taking down Oregon in the quarterfinals.

Howard certainly hasn’t had an insane season, but after they barely threw the ball in their latest loss against Michigan, I have to feel like Ohio State will make it a point to pass early. Additionally, their skill position players are elite, so I expect Howard to have a big day and will pick him to record 235+ passing yards in this College Football Playoff matchup.

Our Pick: Will Howard to Record 235+ Passing Yards