Ohio State vs. Tennessee score, live updates: College Football Playoff first round

On By Littum

Following the College Football Playoff, Friday began with Notre Dame No. 7, who handled no. 10 Indiana, Saturday gives us a full day of three-game action that concludes the first round of the 12-team format.

Penn State took care of business in Happy Valley to start the day, using two early pick-sixes to pull away with a 38-10 victory against an overmatched SMU. Later, in Austin, Texas had its way with Clemson in a 38-24 game that wasn’t as close as the final score would indicate. Let’s hope the nightcap between Ohio State and Tennessee has a little more excitement.

Follow the full action below.

Time: 8:00 PM ET | TV: ABC/ESPN | Line: Ohio State -7.5 | Total: 46.5

Ohio State enters the playoffs on a mission while coming off a painful loss to hated rival Michigan. Can coach Ryan Day get his team back on track? As the over/under indicates, this likely won’t be the offensive shootout that many would have predicted before the season began. These two teams have offenses that can hit a big play at any time, but both teams have relied on excellent defenses.

Live81 updates

  • Touchdown Ohio State!

    Who else but Jeremiah Smith to get things going for the Buckeyes! Will Howard drops a perfect deep ball and the freshman phenom comes down with it for a 37-yard touchdown!

    OSU 7, Tennessee 0

  • OSU on the march

    The Buckeyes are closing in on the red zone now after a long pass from Will Howard to TreVeyon Henderson.

  • OSU starts with the ball

    We’re underway in Columbus. The Buckeyes want the ball first. You’d think it’s a Tennessee home game with how loud the Vols fans are when this thing gets going.

  • Texas’ dominant win over Clemson confirms what the first 2 CFP games showed: Trench play is king in the extended playoff

    AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 21: Texas Longhorns linebacker Barryn Sorrell (88) celebrates a sack during the CFP First Round game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers on December 21, 2024 at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)AUSTIN, TX - DECEMBER 21: Texas Longhorns linebacker Barryn Sorrell (88) celebrates a sack during the CFP First Round game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers on December 21, 2024 at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

    Click on the image above to read the story. (David Buono/Getty Images)

  • Updated CFP bracket

    Here’s where we stand with three playoff games in the books:

    Updated CFP bracket.Updated CFP bracket.

    Updated CFP bracket.

  • Next up: Tennessee at Ohio State

    For the CFP nightcap, we head to Columbus, where Tennessee fans are making their presence known:

  • Texas wins, advances in CFP!

    The Longhorns earn a spot in the quarterfinals, where they will face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl on January 1.

  • Clemson stops Texas on 4th down

    Arch Manning fumbles the snap and fails to convert what would have been the first down of the game for the Longhorns. One last gasp for the Tigers here.

  • Texas milks the clock

    Texas methodically moves the chains and keeps the clock running.

    We’re at the 2-minute timeout and the Longhorns still have the ball. This one is almost over.

  • Clemson got a fourth and goal!

    The Tigers are stopped on two straight runs in the 1st.

    Massive stop for Texas, who take over with 7:24 to play.

  • Clemson threatens again

    Cade Klubnik throws it all over the yard and he has the Tigers inside the 5 yard line, but Clemson just burned a timeout before facing a 3rd and goal.

  • Texas RB ruling

    Longhorns RBs today:

    Jaydon Blue: 12 carries, 146 yards, 2 TDs

    Quintrevion Wisner: 12 carries, 110 yards, 2 TDs

  • Touchdown Texas!

    Jaydon Blue unleashes a 77-yard TD run!

    Instant answer for the Longhorns, who are right back to a 2-TD lead.

  • Touchdown Clemson!

    Cade Klubnik finds TJ Moore in the end zone on a 4th and 6 pass. The clutch play makes it a one-score game. We have a ballgame here in Austin early in the 4th!

    Texas 31, Clemson 24

  • Texas turnover on downs

    A Longhorns drive makes it into Clemson territory on Quinn Ewer’s throw incomplete on 4th and 2.

    Clemson takes over with a chance to further cut the lead.

  • Touchdown Clemson!

    It happened quickly. Two big pass plays and the Tigers are in the end zone.

    Cade Klubnik fires it to Jarvis Green for a 25-yard score and Clemson is alive!

    Texas 31, Clemson 17

  • Clemson strikes again

    Cade Klubnik took a nasty sack and fumbled it away before his teammate eventually recovered, pretty much killing another drive for the Tigers.

    Texas gets it back.

    Only so many more chances for Clemson to try to come back in this game.

  • Texas adds a FG

    Bert Auburn punts from 22 yards to extend the Longhorns’ lead.

    Texas got close to the goal line on a PI call, but couldn’t get into the end zone.

  • Arch Manning Performance!

    Manning had already entered the play earlier for a pass, but this time he drops back to pass and ends up scrambling for a first down on a 3rd-and-1 play.