Tennessee vs. Ohio State Early Picks, Predictions & Odds: College Football Playoff

Redemption will be the theme of Ohio State's game against Tennessee during the first round of the College Football Playoff as Ryan Day looks to bounce back after losing to Michigan.

• Our Tennessee vs. Ohio State early picks and odds expect a low-scoring battle between two defensive juggernauts
• The Buckeyes are getting the fourth-shortest college football championship odds
• The Volunteers are a 7.5-point road underdog at our college football betting sites for Saturday's 8 p.m. ET (ABC, ESPN) kickoff from Ohio Stadium in Columbus

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My early Tennessee vs. Ohio State prediction: College Football Playoff

College football picks made Monday; odds subject to change. Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Prediction: Under 47

Best odds: | Implied probability: 52.38%

While Day and Josh Heupel may be known for their offenses, they coach two of the best defensive teams in the country this season. The defensive lines for both Ohio State and Tennessee are littered with NFL prospects, and those big boys in the trenches should keep scoring to a minimum. 

Both teams rank among the top three in on defense and top five in points allowed per game, and the squads combined to allow just 24.8 points per outing this season. Neither offense has been overly consistent during significant matchups due to shaky QB play and offensive-line inconsistency.

The Buckeyes sit third in and EPA per dropback on defense and should get after Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava. Meanwhile, the Volunteers' defense is top four in both of those metrics. With James Pearce Jr. leading the pass rush, the unit is poised to tee off on Buckeyes QB Will Howard, who's playing behind an offensive line missing two All-American level starters.

Given the defensive play of both teams, I wouldn't be surprised if this total drops as much as two points come Saturday night. I'm forecasting the Buckeyes taking it 24-20.

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Tennessee vs. Ohio State live odds

See the college football odds from our best college football betting sites for every college football bowl game.

Moneyline

• Ohio State best odds: | Implied probability: 73.33%
• Tennessee best odds: | Implied probability: 30.30%

The moneyline for the Buckeyes is sitting between -275 and -285 at our best sports betting sites, and I don't suspect it will move much.

Ohio State is the clear favorite with home-field advantage, and the public is getting behind Day's squad bouncing back against a Vols team that suffered a double-digit loss to Georgia on the road. 

Spread

• Ohio State best odds:
• Tennessee best odds: +7.5 (-110) via bet365

While Ohio State is a 7.5-point favorite at all of our best sportsbooks, the price varies drastically. BetMGM is the only one offering the Buckeyes at even money, paying a $10 profit on a $10 winning bet. Ohio State is -110 elsewhere. 

Covering 7.5 points is a tall task in a playoff game between two top-10 programs. But because of Ohio State's cache as a blue blood, I have a hard time envisioning this line being bet down. I'd be all over Tennessee at +7.5.

Over/Under

• Over best odds: 47 (-110) via Caesars
• Tennessee best odds: 47 (-110) via Caesars

These teams boast two of the best defenses in the country, which is why this College Football Playoff matchup is getting the lowest game total of the four first-round affairs. All of our best sports betting apps are offering the total at 47 with the standard -110 juice, and I'd be all over this Under.

Given how these programs match up with each other, I'll be surprised if this total doesn't drop slightly come Saturday night.

How to watch Tennessee vs. Ohio State

• When: Saturday, Dec. 21
• Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
• Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
• How to watch: ABC, ESPN
• Weather: 23 degrees, 30% chance of precipitation, wind 9 mph NW
• Favorite: Ohio State -7.5 (-110 via DraftKings)

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