Seth Davis hammers Lane Kiffin during Ohio State blowout of Tennessee

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin had not been shy about letting everyone know he was ticked that the Rebels missed the 2024 College Football Playoffs. And he’s been busy watching all the action. Kiffin was cheering on the SEC on Saturday night in their first-round matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes. He used to be the head coach at Tennessee, but the Vols head coach was likely cheering them on as well since they’re in his conference.

Unfortunately for Kiffin, the Volunteers were steamrolled by the Buckeyes, trailing 42-10 in the fourth quarter. It wasn’t a good look for the SEC. Kiffin went quiet on social media for a few hours on Saturday night, and plenty of people were quick to pounce on the opportunity to rub it in Kiffin’s face.

Get your team’s official College Football Playoff watch from AXIA by CLICKING HERE: “Watches that tell so much more than time”

College basketball expert Seth Davis tweeted, “Did someone steal Lane Kiffin’s phone?”

Did someone steal Lane Kiffin's phone?

— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) December 22, 2024

OSU routed Tennessee to the tune of a 42-17 beatdown once the game finally wrapped up.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard completed 24 of his 29 passes for 311 passing yards, while tossing in two touchdowns with one interception. The Buckeyes got complete performances from several different players on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. OSU rolled up 151 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Ohio State star running back TreVeyon Henderson had 10 carries for 80 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Running back Quinshon Judkins also chipped in two touchdowns for the Buckeyes.

The Ohio State receivers were spectacular on Saturday night, hauling in 25 catches for 317 passing yards, while bringing in two touchdowns. OSU star freshman Jeremiah Smith reeled in six catches for 103 receiving yards and two touchdowns. And standout receiver Emeka Egbuka hauled in five catches for 81 receiving yards. Running back TreVeyon Henderson chipped in four catches for 54 receiving yards, giving him over 100-all-purpose yards for the night.

The OSU defense was dominant, tallying four sacks, two from JT Tuimoloau and 1.5 sacks from Jack Sawyer. Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava only completed 14 of 31 passes for 104 passing yards and didn’t throw any touchdowns.

Ohio State and top-seed Oregon will face off next in the 2025 Rose Bowl. It will be the Quarterfinals of the 2024-2025 College Football Playoffs. The Ducks won the first version of the matchup earlier this year, 32-31. The game will be played on January 1st at 5:00 PM EST and it will be nationally televised on ESPN.