Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes remain favored over Tennessee for first-round CFP game
COLUMBUS — Ohio State opened on Sunday as a 7-point favorite over Tennessee for the first-round College Football Playoff game on Dec. 21 at 8 p.m.
The Buckeyes have remained a touchdown favorite. Yes, they’re a 7.5-point favorite for the game against the Volunteers in the Horseshoe. The total is set at 47.5, the lowest total of the four first-round College Football Playoff games.
While both teams are 10-2 on the season, Ohio State is 6-6 against the spread; Tennessee is 7-5 against the number on the year. The under has hit in seven of the Buckeyes 12 games this season. Seven of the Vols 12 games, however, have gone over the set total.
Tennessee covered in each of its first four games but them only covered the spread in three of its next eight games.
Transfer portal entrants from Ohio State so far
The NCAA transfer portal officially opened on Monday, and Lettermen Row has the tracker for all five of the Ohio State players who have entered so far:
Fourth-year wide receiver Jayden Ballard: The Massillon native had 11 catches for 177 yards and one touchdown in his four seasons at Ohio State. He earned the starting kick-returning job for the Buckeyes to open the season before losing that job to various other skill players for Ohio State. Ballard will have one year of eligibility remaining wherever he chooses to go.
Third-year quarterback Devin Brown: Brown joined the program as a five-star prospect in 2022 and has played in 16 games for the Buckeyes, completing 26 of 46 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns. He will have three years of eligibility remaining wherever he chooses to go — but he is staying at Ohio State for the CFP run.
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Third-year wide receiver Kojo Antwi: After three years and just one career catch, Antwi is leaving the Buckeyes for the transfer portal. Antwi will have two years of eligibility remaining wherever he chooses to go.
Third-year linebacker Gabe Powers: A Marysville native and former top-100 overall recruit, Powers had an interception return for a touchdown in the Buckeyes season-opening win over Akron on Aug. 31 and contributed heavily on special teams this season. He was, however, buried on the depth chart behind veterans this season, but he was slated to compete for playing time in his fourth year next offseason. Powers will have two years of eligibility wherever he chooses to go.
Second-year offensive tackle Miles Walker: The second-year offensive lineman did not appear in any games during his two-year career with the Buckeyes. Walker will have three years of eligibility remaining wherever he chooses to go.
Expect more Buckeyes to exit the program either before or after the College Football Playoff run. The Lettermen Row transfer tracker is LIVE.
Counting down
Tennessee at Ohio State: 11 days
Ohio State at Michigan: 355 days
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