Time how to watch CFP games

On December 22, 2024By Littum

The 2024 college football season probably hasn’t gone the way Ryan Day and Ohio State would have liked Buckeyes limps into the College Football Playoff after missing out on the Big Ten championship and losing a fourth straight game to Michigan.

On Saturday, the Buckeyes have a chance to move past those disappointments when they host Tennessee in the final CFP first-round game, which concludes the quarterfinal round of the playoffs.

Watch Ohio State-Tennessee Live with Fubo (Free Trial)

With a win at Ohio Stadium, Ryan Day and Co. secure their first CFP win since the 2020 college football season. It will also advance the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl, where they will rematch No. 1 Oregon, the only other team to beat Ohio State (10-2) this season. The ultimate goal from there – as it is every year – is the national championship.

But Ohio State, the No. 8 seed in the final CFP rankings, can’t see past Tennessee, the No. 9 seed, which comes in with an identical 10-2 record. The Vols have won the only other previous meeting between the two teams, as Peyton Manning led Tennessee to a 20-14 victory vs. Eddie George and the Buckeyes in the 1996 Citrus Bowl.

Can Ohio State get one back against Tennessee in an even higher stakes game?

Stay tuned for live updates, scores, highlights and more from Saturday’s first-round CFP game:

This section will be updated when the game starts.

TEAM	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Tennessee	0	10	—	—	—
Ohio State	21	0	—	—	—

Ohio State misses field goal as time expires

Jayden Fielding lines up for a 56-yard field goal before halftime, but can’t convert the kick.

Ohio State leads 21-10 at halftime.

Ohio State allows touchdown

Ohio State allows a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the half when Iamaleava hits a 2-yard rushing score on the designed quarterback run.

Tennessee ends the half with 10 unanswered points, cutting into Ohio State’s lead at 21-10.

Tennessee receiver Squirrel White was shown on the broadcast heading to the locker room early with a noticeable limp. It’s unclear what the injury was, but Tennessee hopes to have one of its most explosive receivers back for the second half.

Ohio State goes three-and-out

Howard throws a screen pass to Egbuka on third-and-1, but Tennessee stops the attempt and forces an Ohio State punt.

Tennessee regains possession at its own 21-yard line.

Tennessee gets on the board

Ohio State holds Tennessee to a field goal, which the Vols make from 36 yards.

Ohio State leads 21-3 with 6:39 left in halftime.

Ohio State turns up the pressure and forces Iamaleava to throw an interception, but Davison Igbinosun’s catch is negated by a roughing the pass on Kenyatta Jackson Jr.

Tennessee reaches the red zone after the 15-yard penalty.

Howard attempts a throw to Smith in the end zone, but the pass is tipped and caught by Tennessee’s Will Brooks.

Not an ideal game for Ohio State, which gives Tennessee some life as it came close to going up 28-0.

Ohio State converts fourth down

Howard passes to Smith for a 10-yard gain on fourth-and-4, keeping the chains moving.

Ohio State drives and returns from a TV timeout at Tennessee’s 37-yard line. The Buckeyes look to take a commanding 28-0 lead in the second quarter.

Tennessee points

Ohio State allows Tennessee to get a first down, but ultimately prevents the Vols from gaining momentum and forces another punt.

A score here would put the Buckeyes, already up 21-0 after one quarter, in a great position. Ohio State has outscored Tennessee 205-16 in the first quarter.

Ohio State goes up 21-0

Ohio State is 3 for 3 on scoring drives as TreVeyon Henderson hauls in a 29-yard touchdown with 3:27 left in the first quarter.

The Buckeyes drive 58 yards on seven plays in 3:22 of the game. Howard is 9 of 11 passing for 154 yards with a touchdown before the first quarter is over.

Ohio State has outgained the Vols by 191 yards to Tennessee’s -6 yards so far. It will play.

Ohio State forces another three-and-out

Ohio State absolutely dominates early as it forces another three-and-out deep in Tennessee’s own territory. JT Tuimoloau sacked Iamaleava on second-and-11 to move the Vols back to third-and-23 before the punt.

The Buckeyes take over with good field position on their own 42-yard line.

Ohio State goes up 14-0

The Buckeyes’ offense is off to a perfect start as Quinshon Judkins rushes in a 1-yard touchdown to give Ohio State a 14-0 lead.

Tennessee and Nico Iamaleava have dug themselves an early hole.

Ohio State passing attack early

Howard has a ton of success airing it out in the first quarter, throwing back-to-back passes for 18 yards and 40 yards to Smith and Emeka Egbuka, respectively.

Howard is up to 5 of 6 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown already with 9:26 left in the first quarter.

Ohio State forces three-and-out

Great start for the Buckeyes, who force a three-and-out after scoring the game’s first touchdown.

Ohio State takes over at its own 32-yard line, looking to take an early lead.

Ohio State strikes first

Jeremiah Smith is him. Will Howard throws a beautiful pass to Smith, who comes down with a 37-yard touchdown in a 1-on-1 situation.

The Buckeyes lead 7-0 early in the first quarter.

Ohio State receives first

Ohio State loses the toss and Tennessee postpones. The Buckeyes’ offense gets going first.

Here we go.

A large amount of Vols fans are traveling

Tennessee fans traveled to Columbus in full force for the CFP game, with orange sticking out of the stands throughout Ohio Stadium. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reports that more than 30,000 Tennessee fans are expected, which is expected to be one of the largest road crowds ever at The Shoe.

Tennessee aims to set the tone early

The Vols are trying to set the tone in Columbus as several players came out for pregame warmups without their jerseys on. Remember that it is currently 25 degrees before kickoff.

“College GameDay” everyone picks Ohio State

It was a clean slate for Ohio State on “College GameDay” Saturday morning, as each of the five panelists picked the Buckeyes over the Vols.

The shoe is set for the CFP matchup

Ohio Stadium is decked out in College Football Playoff decals for the Buckeyes’ game against Tennessee on Saturday:

Ohio State vs Tennessee time today

Date: Saturday 21 December
Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)

Ohio State and Tennessee play at 8:00 PM ET at Ohio Stadium in Columbus for a first round College Football Playoff game. The winner meets no. 1 Oregon in the CFP quarterfinals on New Year’s Day.

What channel is Ohio State vs Tennessee on today?

The game Buckeyes vs. The Vols will be televised nationally on ABC. Chris Fowler (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) will get the call from the booth, while Holly Rowe will serve as the sideline reporter.

The game can also be streamed on the ESPN app or Fubothe latter of which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers select users a free trial.

Ohio State vs Tennessee History

Series record: Tennessee leads 1-0
Ohio State’s Last Win: REACH
Tennessee’s last win: 1996 (20-14)

Ohio State vs Tennessee predictions

Here’s How National Media Picks Ohio State vs. Tennessee:

Ohio State vs Tennessee odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM from and including Thursday 19 Dec

Odds: Ohio State (-7.5)
Above/below: 46.5
Money line: Ohio State (-300) | Tennessee (+240)

Ohio State vs Tennessee Injury Updates

This section will be updated.

Ohio State vs Tennessee Weather Updates

According to hourly forecasts for Columbus, Ohio from Weather.comwill it be 24 degrees at 8 p.m. ET, the scheduled kickoff time for Ohio State-Tennessee on Saturday. The forecast calls for partly cloudy weather with a 1% chance of rain.

Ohio State Football Program 2024

Saturday 31 August: vs. Akron (W, 52-6)
Saturday 7 September: vs. Western Michigan (W, 56-0)
Saturday 14 September: CITY
Saturday 21 September: vs. Marshall (W, 49-14)
Thursday 26 September: at Michigan State* (W, 38-7)
Saturday 5 October: vs. Iowa* (W, 35-7)
Saturday 12 October: at no. 3 Oregon* (L, 32-31)
Saturday 19 October: CITY
Saturday 26 October: vs. Nebraska* (W, 21-17)
Saturday 2 November: at no. 3 Penn State* (W, 20-13)
Saturday 9 November: vs. Purdue* (W, 45-0)
Saturday 16 November: at Northwestern* (W, 31-7)
Saturday 23 November: vs. no. 5 Indiana (W, 38-15)
Saturday 30 November: vs. Michigan* (L, 13-10)
Saturday 21 December: vs. no. 9 Tennessee (CFP First Round) **
Record: 10-2, 7-2 Big Ten

* Denotes Big Ten games

** Denotes CFP ranking

Tennessee football 2024 schedule

Saturday 31 August: vs. Chattanooga (W, 69-3)
Saturday 7 September: vs. no. 24 NC State (W, 51-10)
Saturday 14 September: vs. Kent State (W, 71-0)
Saturday 21 September: at no. 15 Oklahoma* (W, 25-15)
Saturday 28 September: CITY
Saturday 5 October: at Arkansas* (L, 19-14)
Saturday 12 October: vs. Florida* (W, 23-17, OT)
Saturday 19 October: vs. no. 7 Alabama* (W, 24-17)
Saturday 26 October: CITY
Saturday 2 November: vs. Kentucky* (W, 28-18)
Saturday 9 November: vs. Mississippi State* (W, 33-14)
Saturday 16 November: at no. 10 Georgia* (L, 31-17)
Saturday 23 November: vs. UTEP (W, 56-0)
Saturday 30 November: at Vanderbilt* (W, 36-23)
Saturday 21 December: at no. 8 Ohio State (CFP First Round) **
Record: 10-2, 6-2 SEC

* Denotes SEC games

** Denotes CFP ranking

Ohio State Football News

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking on one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently and this does not affect our coverage.