- The #8 Ohio State Buckeyes are a 7.5-point favorite over the #9 Tennessee Volunteers in the First Round of the CFP on December 21st
- The Buckeyes lead the nation in scoring defense
- Check out the Tennessee vs Ohio State betting line, early prediction and preview, below
In previous years, there was zero chance one, yet alone two programs who didn’t make their Conference Championship Game would crack the College Football Playoff bracket.
Now with the expanded format however, the best teams can still fight for a National Title even if they have a slip-up or two.
That’s perfect for #9 Tennessee and # Ohio State. Both teams have been staples in the top-10 all year, despite their two losses. They’ll square off on Saturday, December 21st in a First-Round playoff game, with the Buckeyes pegged as chalk in the latest college football odds.
Tennessee vs Ohio State Odds
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Volunteers | +7.5 (-120) | +215 | O 47.5 (-110) |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | -7.5 (+100) | -265 | U 47.5 (-110) |
Ohio State opened as 7.5-point favorites, in a contest with a total of 47.5. That’s currently where both the spread and total numbers sit, although as we get closer to kickoff, expect a flurry of Buckeyes action which could push the spread further in their favor.
Odds as of December 9 (1 pm ET) at Caesars Sportsbook. Be sure to check out the best Caesars Sportsbook promos before betting on any NCAAF games.
Kickoff for this playoff tilt is set for 8 pm ET at Ohio Stadium, in Columbus, OH, with ABC and ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.
How Ohio State Can Overwhelm Tennessee
Ohio State was on track to face #1 Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game until a loss to unranked Michigan in the regular season finale. The Buckeyes played well enough defensively to win, but mustered only 10 points on offense.
Senior QB Will Howard picked the wrong time to have his worst game of the year, completing only 58% of his throws, while turning the ball over twice. Howard exceeded all expectations through his first 11 games, and Ohio State backers will bank on his latest performance being an outlier.
The biggest problem was his inability to get the ball to star wideout Jeremiah Smith. The Big Ten Receiver saw only two targets after halftime against the Wolverines, after shattering the school receiving records for a freshman.
On the ground, Ohio State boasts a strong rushing attack, featuring Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. The duo combined for 1,556 rushing yards and 14 TD his season.
The Buckeyes finished sixth in points per drive this season, and ninth on offense per SP+. They were 3-1 versus top-20 ranked opponents in the SP+ rankings, winning each time by at least a touchdown.
😤 @OhioStateFB‘s defense is in a league of their own this year 🌰
They rank 1st in FBS ranks in four different categories 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OyiUEVaS0c
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 28, 2024
As good as the offense is, the defense is even better. They’re the number one unit per SP+, and the number one scoring defense. The Ohio State pass rush and coverage group are among the best in the country, and they’ll pose a daunting test for a Tennessee offense that struggles to generate big plays.
Can the Volunteers Keep it Close?
The Vols averages less than 12 yards per successful play, which ranks 115th in the nation. Unlike Ohio State, they don’t have elite wideouts, which forces them to methodically drive the length of the field without making mistakes.
That can be done against weak defenses, but not versus the Buckeyes. That should force Tennessee to lean on the run, but rush defense is also a strength for Ohio State. The Buckeyes allow just 2.9 yards per carry, and less than 100 rushing yards per contest.
On the other side of the ball, the Vols defense is one of the few in the country that can give Ohio State problems. Tennessee ranks fourth nationally in havoc rate, a metric that measures tackles for loss, passes defended and fumbles forced.
The Vols defense also grades out fourth overall per SP+, and fourth in points allowed at 13.9 per contest. Opponents are averaging only 282 yards of offense, while Jermod McCoy might be the answer to who’ll slow down Smith.
he picked this.@Jermodmccoy #GBO 🍊 pic.twitter.com/GSYOBFTKpd
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 30, 2024
McCoy has four picks and eight pass breakups this season, while enemy QB’s have a dismal 13.2 QBR when targeting receivers in his coverage. Tennessee grades out top-17 in both pass rush and coverage per Pro Football Focus, and force nearly two turnovers per game.
Tennessee vs Ohio State Early Prediction
Now that the CFP is set, the Buckeyes have fallen to fourth in the National Championship odds, while the Vols are seventh. Both programs are exceptional defensively, and points will be at a premium.
In Tennessee’s three toughest roads games this season, they averaged 19 points. Their inability to produce explosive plays is concerning, as we can’t expect them to dink and dunk their way down the field successfully versus this Ohio State defense.
The Buckeyes offense is an imposing unit, but they’re not immune to struggling either. As mentioned, they produced only 10 points versus Michigan, and only 20 points against Penn State. Both those defenses rank below Tennessee’s, which should give pause to bettors expecting a massive offensive output.
- Tennessee vs Ohio State Early Pick: Under 47.5 (-110)
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The highly anticipated matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Ohio State Buckeyes is set to take place on September 4th, 2022. As both teams gear up for the start of the college football season, fans and bettors alike are eagerly awaiting the betting line and early predictions for this exciting game.
The Tennessee vs Ohio State betting line is expected to be a close one, with both teams boasting talented rosters and high expectations for the upcoming season. The Buckeyes are coming off a strong 2021 campaign, finishing with a 10-3 record and a victory in the Rose Bowl. Head coach Ryan Day will look to build on that success and lead his team to another successful season.
On the other side, the Volunteers are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 season in 2021. Head coach Josh Heupel will be looking to make a statement in his second year at the helm and lead Tennessee to a winning record.
Early predictions for this matchup are split, with some experts favoring Ohio State’s potent offense led by quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Chris Olave. Others believe that Tennessee’s defense, anchored by standout linebacker Jeremy Banks, could give the Buckeyes trouble.
Ultimately, this game is shaping up to be a competitive and exciting matchup between two talented teams. Bettors will have to closely monitor the betting line as game day approaches to make informed decisions on where to place their bets.
In conclusion, the Tennessee vs Ohio State game is sure to be a must-watch for college football fans and bettors alike. With both teams hungry for success and looking to make a statement early in the season, this matchup has all the makings of a classic showdown. Stay tuned for updates on the betting line and early predictions as game day approaches.
