College Football Playoff: First Round Reaction

Ohio State Sends a Message in Dominant Win Over Tennessee
​Ohio State made a resounding statement in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, dismantling Tennessee in a 38-17 rout. The Buckeyes looked every bit the national championship contender and erased all doubts following their loss to Michigan. Playing with a chip on their shoulder, Ohio State came out laser-focused, delivering sharp execution on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Will Howard led the charge, completing 24 of 29 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith showed why he was a 5-star recruit, hauling in six receptions for 103 yards and two scores. Ohio State jumped out to a commanding 21-0 lead after the first quarter, leaving Tennessee reeling.

The Volunteers showed brief signs of life, cutting the lead to 21-10 at halftime, but the Buckeyes responded swiftly. A third-quarter touchdown extended the lead to 28-10, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava flashed his raw talent but demonstrated why he still has plenty of development ahead. While the Volunteers had a solid season, they ran into a buzzsaw in Ohio State.

The Buckeyes' defense was relentless, delivering big hits and forcing mistakes. This was the Ohio State team everyone expected to see all year—arguably the most talented roster in college football. Based on this performance, the Buckeyes should be considered the favorites to win it all.

Texas Survives Clemson's Push, Advances Behind Dominant Run Game
Texas appeared poised for a blowout early, jumping out to a quick lead over Clemson, but the Tigers fought back to make the game more competitive than expected. Quarterback Cade Klubnik showed tremendous improvement this season and kept Clemson in the game despite facing one of the most talented defenses in the country.

The Longhorns loaded roster was too much for Clemson. Texas rushed for 292 yards on 6.2 yards per carry, wearing down Clemson's defense. Quarterback Quinn Ewers delivered a mixed performance, throwing crisp passes in the red zone but continuing to struggle when pressured. Ewers' hesitancy to leave the pocket and his inconsistency raise questions about his readiness for the next level. Backup Arch Manning saw action in some key situations, hinting at a potentially larger role moving forward.

Clemson ends the season with questions about how to address its defensive struggles, but Texas' sheer depth and talent proved too much. With their offensive firepower and defensive strength, the Longhorns remain a dangerous contender—provided Ewers can elevate his play.

Penn State Exposes SMU in Blowout Win
Penn State left no doubt about SMU's lack of readiness for the playoff stage, cruising to a 38-10 victory. This game highlights why many believed the committee made a mistake including SMU, a team that capitalized on a weak schedule in a weak conference.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings had a nightmare outing, throwing three interceptions, including two pick-sixes by Penn State linebackers Dominic DeLuca and Tony Rojas. The Nittany Lions jumped out to a 14-0 lead before their offense even got going and never looked back.

Penn State showed why they belong among college football's top programs despite James Franklin’s 12-25 record vs. top 25 teams. Penn State boasts NFL-caliber talent on both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, SMU's performance underscores their need to build through NIL and recruiting plus impact transfers to compete at this level in the future. While the Mustangs have deep-pocketed boosters and now a spot in the ACC, they remain far from ready to challenge top-tier programs.

Notre Dame Overpowers Indiana
Notre Dame's 27-17 win over Indiana showcased a stark talent gap between the two programs. Despite an incredible turnaround season under Curt Cignetti, Indiana was overmatched by the Fighting Irish's physicality and team speed.

Notre Dame leaned on its proven formula of running the ball and playing stifling defense. Quarterback Riley Leonard didn't light up the stat sheet but managed the game effectively while the defense held Indiana to just 138 total yards and three points in the first half.

Indiana managed some late scores to make the game appear closer than it was, but the outcome was never in doubt. For the Hoosiers, the focus now shifts to building off this year's success on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal to elevate their roster going into next season. Notre Dame, meanwhile, advances with a formula that works in the postseason. Their ability to control the clock and dominate defensively makes them a tough matchup for anyone moving forward.

Final Thoughts
The opening round of the College Football Playoff delivered dominance and a clear picture of teams that are true contenders. Ohio State's dismantling of Tennessee and Penn State's blowout of SMU reaffirmed their status. Texas showed flashes of what might be the most talented roster but left questions at quarterback, while Notre Dame has their own quarterback questions, their physicality on both sides of the ball proved too much for Indiana.

Ohio State appears to be the team to beat, but Texas, Georgia, Oregon, and Penn State have the talent to challenge them. The path to crown a national champion is heating up, and the best is yet to come.
-Brad Fowler, Pint Glass Football

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