Tennessee Predicted to Lose to Ohio State in College Football Playoff

The Tennessee Volunteers have been predicted to lose to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the college football playoff.

Jonathan Williams | 2 Hours Ago

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews (10) celebrates his touchdown with quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) during the third quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Tennessee Volunteers

The Tennessee Volunteers have been predicted to lose to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the college football playoff.

We are a little over a week away from the first round of the college football playoff being played and the Tennessee Volunteers will be traveling up to Ohio State for their first round game. This is the first playoff appearance in program history and they will have the opportunity to earn their first playoff win, but they will need to do so in a tough environment.

The Buckeyes are viewed as a touchdown favorite coming into this game and according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, that's exactly how he sees the game going. He predicted Ohio State to win 26-19 and here was his reasoning for the selection:

"Tennessee hasn't been great away from Knoxville this season, and Ohio Stadium will be a difficult setting for Nico Iamaleava and the Vols offense. Ohio State's defense has performed well since the Oregon loss, and will rise up again, as Caleb Downs collects a takeaway. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly won't forget about Jeremiah Smith again as the Buckeyes win a close one."

Many are expecting this one to be one of the better first round matchups and the winner of this game will move on to face off against the Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinal round.