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What we learned from Ohio State's emphatic playoff win over Tennessee

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State looked like its old self again in its emphatic 42-17 win over Tennessee in the opening round of the College Football Playoff Saturday night.

And in returning to winning ways, the Buckeyes washed away at least some of the sting of their loss to Michigan three weeks prior and reignited hopes of a national championship, which is now just three victories away.

"You're going to be defined by the way you handle adversity in life. As a person, as a man, as a dad," head coach Ryan Day said. "To see the way they responded in this game, you can tell from the jump that they had a look in their eye that they were going to go win this game. I thought they played that way."

The win puts OSU back in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2022 when the Buckeyes defeated Utah, 48-45. But this time, Ohio State will face the top-seed and undefeated Oregon Ducks in a rematch of the Oct. 12 contest, which the Buckeyes lost 32-31.

Here are three things we learned from the win over Tennessee.

Buckeyes fast start pays off

A common theme for Ohio State prior to Saturday was its inability to get off to a fast start offensively. By losing the coin toss and getting the ball first, the Buckeyes quickly got on the road to victory by putting up 21 consecutive points in the opening quarter.

First, quarterback Will Howard had a big throw to freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith for a 37-yard touchdown on the opening drive. Then the two-headed monster from the backfield struck in the form of rushing touchdowns from Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. The Buckeyes had a 21-0 lead after the first three drives with over three minutes left in the first quarter.

"As a quarterback, you get into a rhythm. You get into a flow state," Howard said. "Once you get that first first down, get moving, you get into that rhythm. And that rhythm is huge for me as a quarterback and for an offense."

Ohio State O-Line enables Howard's production

In the end, Howard bounced back from his worst performance of the season to put up some of the best numbers he's produced as a Buckeye. The QB went 24-for-29 passing for 311 yards and two touchdowns against an interception. His completion rate returned to above 80 percent for the seventh time this season.

The success of the offense can be credited to the retooled offensive line, which had undergone many changes this year because of the season-ending injuries suffered by Seth McLaughlin and Josh Simmons. Austin Siereveld played both guard positions tonight while freshman Luke Montgomery was rotated in.

"When you don't notice the guards, they're doing pretty well," Day said. "I noticed Luke's energy and toughness and edge. I gotta watch the film and see how he did but we blocked much better in this game and [Tennessee] has a good front."

Howard said it was hard to hear how much criticism the offensive line had gotten in the leadup to the game.

"I'm so proud of those guys. I had to listen to them get harassed for the last three weeks. And I had to sit here and act like it didn't affect me because those are my brothers," Howard said. "I go to war with those guys every single day. For them to show out and have the performance they did tonight, it was huge."

Rematch with Oregon on the horizon

Now the Buckeyes turn their attention to a familiar opponent. Top-seed Oregon handed Ohio State its first loss of the season back in October. And on New Year's Day at 5 p.m., the Buckeyes get a second chance at the Ducks in the only playoff quarterfinal that features a regular season rematch.

For Howard, the opportunity for redemption is personal. The quarterback remembers how the game in Eugene ended, when time ran out as he slid to the ground, unable to give the Buckeyes a chance for a game-winning field goal.

"It's going to be a heck of an opportunity for all of us. We've all been looking forward to this one for another crack at these guys," Howard said. "The way that last one ended doesn't sit right with me. It still doesn't. It still bugs me. In life, you don't get a lot of second chances. The fact that we're getting a second chance here is a blessing from the Lord."