After the College Football Playoff began on Friday with No. 7 Notre Dame handling No. 10 Indiana, the first round wrapped up with three lopsided results on Saturday.
Penn State took care of business in Happy Valley to start the day, using two early pick-6s to pull away with a 38-10 win against an overmatched SMU. Later, in Austin, No. 5 Texas had its way with No. 12 Clemson in a 38-24 game that was not as close as the final score would indicate. The nightcap was even more one-sided, with No. 8 Ohio State pulling away from No. 9 Tennessee in a 42-17 win.
What was the reason for all the blowouts? Line play was one key that stood out in each matchup.
The quarterfinals matchups are now set, and on paper there should be some much more competitive games.
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Final: Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17
The Buckeyes advance and will take on Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
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Touchdown Tennessee
Well the Vols have found the end zone again on a short run by Nico Iamaleava.
The bad news for them is that there’s just 2 minutes left in the game.
OSU 42, Tennessee 17
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The teams have traded punts and the Vols have it back at their own 12-yard line with 7 minutes left in the game.
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Touchdown Ohio State!
Now it’s TreVeyon Henderson with his second TD of the game. The veteran RB breaks through the line for a 24-yard touchdown run to extend the Buckeyes’ lead.
OSU 42, Tennessee 10
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End of 3Q: OSU 35, Tennessee 10
The Vols are going to need to start adding up the points quick to get back into this one.
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Touchdown Ohio State!
The Buckeyes are pouring it on now. Quinshon Judkins just capped off a 9-play, 81-yard drive with a short touchdown run.
OSU 35, Tennessee 10
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OSU at midfield
The Buckeyes are moving the ball and eating a lot of clock with the run game now.
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Tennessee punts it away
The Vols looked like they were considering going for it on fourth and short at midfield, but they opt to kick it away instead.
It’s Ohio State ball with 6:04 left in the third quarter.
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Touchdown Ohio State!
It’s Jeremiah Smith AGAIN! The freshman phenom caught another beautiful pass from Will Howard on a fade into the corner and the Buckeyes have re-established themselves in this one.
OSU 28, Tennessee 10
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Tennessee punts it to OSU
It’s a quick possession to open the third quarter for the Vols. They were trying to establish the run game on that drive and it didn’t work out too well.
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Vols get ball to start 2nd half
Will Tennessee keep it rolling and deliver the biggest comeback in College Football Playoff history?
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Halftime: OSU 21, Tennessee 10
Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding had a shot at extending the lead as time expired, but his 56-yard try wasn’t close.
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Touchdown Tennessee!
The Vols have finally found the end zone with just 20 seconds left in the first half after a short run by Nico Iamaleava.
OSU 21, Tennessee 10
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Vols on the march
Tennessee is past midfield now with just under 2 minutes left in the opening half.
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Vols force punt
Tennessee is going to have a shot at eating into the Buckeyes’ lead before halftime after holding strong and forcing a punt.
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Vols are on the board
Tennessee’s drive fizzled out after the penalty and the Vols had to settle for a short field goal by Max Gilbert.
OSU 21, Tennessee 3
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OSU interception negated by penalty
The Buckeyes had an interception but a Tennessee defender was given a roughing-the-passer penalty after landing on Nico Iamaleava.
The Vols are inside the red zone after the controversial penalty.
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Vols on the march
Now it’s Tennessee’s turn to deliver some chunk plays. Nico Iamaleava just found 2 different receivers for long gains and the Vols are past midfield.
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Interception Tennessee!
Will Howard was trying to find Jeremiah Smith for another touchdown but the freshman wasn’t able to hold onto the ball and Tennessee’s Will Brooks made a spectacular play to get a foot down in the end zone for the pick.
After a short review, the call on the field of an interception stands. What a play by Brooks!