Ohio State’s dominating performance against Tennessee has set up an intriguing matchup with Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Buckeyes’ 42-17 win over the Vols was a perfect example of their explosive offense and stifling defense.
The game began slowly, with both teams struggling to move the ball. However, as soon as Ohio State started clicking, it became clear that this was going to be a long night for Tennessee. The Buckeyes’ receivers, Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, were nearly unstoppable, catching 11 passes for over 200 yards.
Ohio State’s defense also made a statement, swarming quarterback Nico Iamaleava and limiting the Vols to just six first-half points. The Buckeyes took advantage of this and scored 21 unanswered points in the second quarter, putting them up 21-0.
The win has raised questions about Ohio State’s chances to repeat as national champions. Coach Ryan Day acknowledged that his team faced adversity earlier in the season but said they handled it well. “You’re defined by the way you handle adversity in life,” he said. “To see the way they responded, they had a look in their eye.”
The Buckeyes’ next test will be against Oregon, which won 32-31 on a last-second field goal in their previous meeting. The two teams have a compelling matchup set up for the Rose Bowl, with Ohio State’s strong offense facing off against Oregon’s talented roster.
However, some are questioning the format of the College Football Playoff, which allows conference champions to receive byes and creates unbalanced seeding. The Buckeyes were seeded eighth despite being ranked sixth by the committee, making their quarterfinal matchup against top seed Oregon a significant test.
The win has also reignited talk about whether the sport should expand further beyond its current 12-team playoff format. Boise State and Arizona State will face Texas and Penn State in the Peach and Fiesta Bowls, respectively, as underdogs against big brands.
Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-states-blowout-win-over-tennessee-sets-up-epic-oregon-rematch-its-just-a-shame-its-happening-in-the-quarterfinals-053726584.html