Ohio State delivered a dominant performance in their matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers, securing a 42-17 victory in Columbus, Ohio. With this win, the Buckeyes have earned a spot in the Rose Bowl where they will face off against the undefeated No. 1 Oregon Ducks.
This upcoming Rose Bowl game will mark a rematch between Ohio State and Oregon, with the Ducks narrowly edging out the Buckeyes 32-31 in their previous encounter on October 12. The game holds significance as a classic showdown between the Big Ten Conference and the Pac-12 Conference, set to take place on New Year's Day in Pasadena, California as a College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, 'It means the world, man. At the end of the day, we all understand that we still have everything out in front of us.'
Despite a disappointing loss to Michigan to end the regular season, Ohio State showcased their potential for a national title with a commanding performance against Tennessee. The Buckeyes took an early lead with 21 unanswered points in the first quarter and maintained control throughout the game.
Howard's impressive performance included 311 passing yards and two touchdowns, connecting frequently with standout freshman Jeremiah Smith who contributed two receiving touchdowns and 103 yards. Emeka Egbuka added 81 receiving yards to the Buckeyes' offensive display.
On the ground, TreVeyon Henderson rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns, while Quinshon Judkins also found the end zone twice. Tennessee's quarterback Nico Iamaleava put up a valiant effort with 47 rushing yards and two touchdowns, but the Volunteers were unable to mount a significant challenge against Ohio State's strong defense.
Looking ahead to the Rose Bowl matchup against Oregon, Ohio State remains focused on their goal of contending for the national title. With a stellar performance against Tennessee, the Buckeyes have demonstrated their potential to compete at the highest level of college football.
