Who does Ohio State play in CFP bracket? What to know about Tennessee

Traditional powers from the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference will meet at Ohio Stadium in the first round of the first 12-team College Football Playoff.

Who will Ohio State play in CFP?

Ohio State, the No. 8 seed, will face No. 9 Tennessee.

Both teams are 10-2.

Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) leaves Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson (17) behind as he strides into the end zone for a touchdown during a college football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

What do Ohio State fans need to know about Tennessee?

Josh Heupel’s rebuild of Tennessee involved perimeter talent.

During the Volunteers’ breakthrough in 2022, few offenses in the nation were as explosive through the air.  The centerpiece was Jalin Hyatt, the Biletnikoff Award winner who stretched the field with his deep speed.

But the ninth-seeded Volunteers’ road to the expanded College Football Playoff, where they visit eight-seeded Ohio State for a first-round matchup on Dec. 21, has looked different.

Their primary playmaker is Dylan Sampson, a running back who was the leading rusher in the Southeastern Conference with 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns this year.

It is the first time in four seasons under Heupel, a former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Oklahoma, that the Volunteers have averaged more yards rushing (232) than passing (231).

The Volunteers don’t have a receiver with more than 35 receptions. Hyatt caught 67 passes when he edged out Marvin Harrison Jr. for the Biletnikoff Award two years ago.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel disputes a call during the second quarter at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.

Sampson has been a workhorse back with 256 carries. Only nine in the Football Bowl Subdivision have totaled more in 2024. His role has…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/does-ohio-state-play-cfp-080104764.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-12-11 08:01:00

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