Blowouts were expected in the first round of the College Football Playoff after all four games opened with point spreads of more than a touchdown. But while none of the games ended up being especially close,

Quarterback Will Howard threw two touchdown passes to freshman Jeremiah Smith, and Ohio State routed Tennessee 42-17 in a first-round College Football Playoff game, setting up a New Year's Day rematch with No.

Note Dame, Penn State, Texas and Ohio State, all kings of the sport, made mostly quick and easy work of their visitors on the College Football Playoff’s opening weekend.