Tennessee loses to Ohio State in the College Football Playoffs
Ohio State advanced to a rematch with No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day after defeating Tennessee 42-17 in a first-round College Football Playoff game. Running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson each rushed for two touchdowns, while quarterback Will Howard, who threw two touchdown passes to freshman Jeremiah Smith, powered the now 11-2 Buckeyes. Nico Iamaleava, the quarterback for Tennessee, had a difficult game; he only completed 14 of 31 passes for 104 yards and ran 20 times for 47 yards. The 473 total yards Ohio State gave up were the most Tennessee had given up all season. Temperatures in Ohio Stadium dropped to 25 degrees in December, but that didn't stop the Buckeyes from making a statement with their victory.