Ohio State Dominates Tennessee, Prepares for Oregon Rematch at 2025 Rose Bowl
The stadium in Atlanta roared with the kind of fervor that only playoff football could summon. Ohio State’s relentless march toward the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship had just taken a decisive step forward. The Buckeyes had battered Tennessee 45–14 in a game that had been over before the third quarter even concluded. The Volunteers, once a dark horse contender, found themselves outmatched in every conceivable way.
Ohio State’s defense, a unit forged in fire and finesse, swarmed quarterback Nico Iamaleava from the first snap. Linebacker Jalen Walker was everywhere, bursting through Tennessee’s offensive line like a freight train, sacking Iamaleava three times in the first half alone. Defensive back Davon Burton was a nightmare for Tennessee’s receivers, swatting down passes with surgical precision, while defensive tackle Jerrick Leach swallowed up running backs before they could even dream of hitting the edge. It was clear from the outset that Tennessee’s explosive offense, which had electrified the nation all season, was being smothered by Ohio State’s defense.
On offense, Ohio State’s explosive duo of quarterback Kyle McCord and running back TreVeyon Henderson made sure the game was never in doubt. McCord, cool and collected under pressure, tossed three touchdowns in the first half, one to star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who seemed to glide through the Tennessee defense as if they were shadows. Henderson, running with the power and precision of a seasoned veteran, rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns, gashing through holes with alarming ease. By halftime, the Buckeyes led 31–7, and it was clear this would not be Tennessee’s night.
Tennessee’s offense, which had hung 50 points on several teams throughout the season, could not get its rhythm. Iamaleava, who had been poised to shine on the national stage, was constantly under duress. His offensive line faltered under the weight of Ohio State’s defensive line, and his star receiver, Squirrel White, found himself wrapped in coverage, never able to break free. By the time the final whistle blew, Tennessee’s hopes had been dashed in spectacular fashion.
The post-game atmosphere was electric, with Ohio State’s players celebrating as if they had already secured the national championship. Coach Ryan Day, calm yet elated, stood at the podium, his eyes gleaming with quiet confidence. “We executed the game plan to perfection,” Day said, his voice steady but full of pride. “But this is just the beginning. We’ve got more work ahead of us.”
The win set the stage for an unforgettable rematch: Ohio State and Oregon, a showdown decades in the making, would meet again in the 2025 Rose Bowl. The last time these two teams faced each other in the postseason, Oregon had stunned Ohio State in the 2015 national championship game. Since then, both programs had built legacies of excellence, and now, they were on a collision course once again.
Oregon had rolled through their own playoff bracket, defeating a powerful Georgia team and showcasing their own high-powered offense led by quarterback Bo Nix. The Ducks were hungry for redemption, and the Buckeyes, coming off their dominant performance against Tennessee, knew they were in for a battle.
As the confetti fell in Atlanta, the eyes of the college football world turned westward. The 2025 Rose Bowl would be more than just a game—it would be a statement. Would Ohio State avenge their past defeats? Could Oregon once again dethrone a Buckeye juggernaut?
For the players, coaches, and fans of both teams, it was clear that the 2025 Rose Bowl would be a monumental clash—a fight for supremacy, one that would define the future of college football for years to come.