Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday and punched its ticket to the Rose Bowl against a familiar foe in (1) Oregon. Though Volunteers fans showed up to Ohio Stadium in force and caused some early problems for the Buckeyes,

Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith dashed past the Tennessee defense for a 37-yard touchdown on the opening drive then high-fived Ohio State fans near the tunnel. Moments later, OSU linebacker Cody Simon delivered a hit on Nico Iamaleava so thunderous,

For three long weeks, the Ohio State Buckeyes stewed. The dispiriting loss to Michigan. Having to sit at home instead of playing for a Big Ten championship. Slipping to the No. 8 seed in the College Football Playoff and having to face a dangerous Tennessee team in the first round.