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College Football Playoff preview: Ohio State-Tennessee meet in first round

Published

4 months ago

December 8, 2024

College Football Playoff preview: Ohio State-Tennessee meet in first round

It’s hard to believe, but Ohio State and Tennessee have only met once on the gridiron, a Volunteers victory in the 1996 Florida Citrus Bowl. The stakes are much higher this time around as the two teams meet in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Much attention will be paid to the offenses, but both have top-five defenses, with Ohio State leading the nation in scoring defense and total defense. Something else to watch out for is Tennessee’s sometimes-undisciplined play, as untimely penalties (the Vols average more than eight penalties a game) have cost them this season.

When Tennessee has the ball

Tennessee must rely on the SEC’s top running attack and star back Dylan Sampson (one of only two SEC backs to go over 1,000 yards) and use it to set up the pass, which is precisely the opposite of what Ohio State needs to do. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava needs to stay upright, and making a few plays with his legs will keep the Buckeyes defense honest.

UP AND DOWNS: Winners and losers from the playoff reveal

POSTSEASON LINEUP: Complete college football bowl schedule

When Ohio State has the ball

The Buckeyes have no business even considering punting with all their talent on offense. Job one is for quarterback Will Howard to get the ball to their dangerous receivers, Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, and not turn the ball over. Once Ohio State has the lead, it pounds teams into submission with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. The game plan they had against Michigan won’t work here and will lead to an early playoff exit

The coaches: Ryan Day and Josh Heupel

If this was any other year, chances are that Ohio State coach Ryan Day would be out of a job. But even without a Big Ten title or beating Michigan, Day has a chance to prove he is amongst the nation’s elite coaches, right the ship and lead the talented – but flawed – Buckeyes to a national championship.

As a quarterback, Josh Heupel led the underdog Oklahoma Sooners to a national title nearly a quarter of a century ago. The Volunteers must be aggressive, early and often, to penetrate the stingy Ohio State defense. Look for Tennessee to take more chances than usual, especially if it gets behind.

Ohio State-Tennessee prediction

The Buckeyes have too much firepower to be denied, at least in this game. This is not the time to tinker with the offense, and if Ohio State sticks to what works, it should have no problem advancing to the next round.

Ohio State 27, Tennessee 17

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Ohio Lottery Pick 3 Midday, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for March 30, 2025

Published

8 hours ago

March 31, 2025

Press Room

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at March 30, 2025, results for each game:

Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 9-9-2

Evening: 2-9-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 6-2-0-2

Evening: 8-9-7-5

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 4-7-9-1-8

Evening: 3-9-4-9-9

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Rolling Cash 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

09-14-19-25-35

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.

19-20-27-36-39, Lucky Ball: 06

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.

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Exciting Ohio State Freshman Has Made Big Change for 2025

Published

20 hours ago

March 30, 2025

Press Room

Exciting Ohio State Freshman Has Made Big Change for 2025

The Ohio State Buckeyes have definitely undergone some major changes on both sides of the ball this offseason, but perhaps their biggest change has been defensively.

Ohio State has lost a plethora of players to the NFL Draft, particularly along its defensive front, which spearheaded the nation’s No. 1-ranked defense in 2024.

Fortunately, the Buckeyes have a great group of young players ready to hit the field in 2025, and that includes four-star freshman linebacker Riley Pettijohn.

Pettijohn was the No. 2-ranked linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class, so big things are expected of him next season, and he knows it.

In preparation for his debut campaign in Columbus, Pettijohn has already gained 12 pounds, going from 215 to 227 pounds over the last few months.

As a result, Pettijohn is becoming a more versatile threat along Ohio State’s front seven.

“I think I can do a little bit of everything,” Pettijohn told reporters. “I can cover, I can rush the passer, I can play the run, too. I think those are all my strengths. But I think my speed plays a factor.”

Pettijohn probably won’t be a starter right off the bat, as Arvell Reese is projected to begin the season at middle linebacker. But Pettijohn may see some snaps, and he is excited for the opportunity.

“It’s a responsibility, getting everybody lined up, getting the call,” Pettijohn said. “Knowing my assignment, I did it in high school, but it’s just upscaled a little more, so it’s going to take some getting used to. But I know I’m ready.”

We’ll see if the McKinney, Tx. native can make an impact in Year 1.

MORE: Ohio State Buckeyes QB Will Howard Throws Shade at Michigan Fans

MORE: Ohio State Defender Puts Everyone on Notice With Bold Claim

MORE: Disgraced Former Michigan Staffer Fires Big Accusation Against Ohio State

MORE: Ohio State LB Received Major Praise From Coach James Laurinaitis

MORE: Ohio State Buckeyes Suffer Brutal Transfer Portal News

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Mailbox: For Ohio State basketball fans, March Madness sure is lonely without the Buckeyes

Published

1 day ago

March 30, 2025

Press Room

Mailbox: For Ohio State basketball fans, March Madness sure is lonely without the Buckeyes

Have more comments, questions? Reach out to me at bwhite1@dispatch.com. Letters are lightly edited for clarity.

On Ohio State basketball

To the editor: I have such an empty feeling. It feels like I lost someone. The best few weeks in sports. I sit on the sidelines left out of the dance. I watched Michigan yesterday, a team that won only eight games last year. Their bigs dominated. What a turnaround. BIG BUCKS bring BIG BUCKS, I hope.

Marty Osmond

To the editor: SHAME ON YOU! What a terrible title for the hard playing, very successful OSU women’s basketball team. They played their hearts out but did not win the Tennessee game. But they did amass a tremendous record of 26-7 against many great teams. With that record they were given a No. 4 seed in their bracket. And they won their first game. Give them credit. Find a better title that doesn’t suggest they were losers.

Maybe … Came up a little short … OSU women put together a great season.

Next time do a little more thinking about how readers will react to the title of an article.

Pete Kienle, Powell

To Pete: I thought the headlines on Mike Arace’s column were fair for a team that was upset at home for the second year in a row. In print, it was “Diminishing returns: OSU runs out of gas, again falls in second round in tournament.” On Dispatch.com, the headline was “Buckeyes can’t find their way from Columbus to Sweet 16.” It was a fine season by the Buckeyes, but a disappointing ending.

On Michigan

To Brian: What do Voldemort, MacBeth and Michigan have in common?

Harry Potter’s nemesis was Lord Voldemort, an evil wizard so powerful and frightening that it was dangerous to even say the name out loud. Instead, everyone referred to him as “He Who Must Not Be Named.”

In the theatre world, “Macbeth” is considered a play so powerful and strange that it is thought to be unlucky to say the name out loud and is therefore called only “The Scottish Play.”

Here in Buckeye Nation, and especially, I imagine, even more so within in the football program, Michigan is referred to as “That Team Up North (TTUN).” Is this because Michigan is a team so powerful and frightful that it is unlucky or dangerous to say the name out loud? Maybe not intentionally.

This irrational fear to name something actually has a formal name: The Voldemort Effect. (Google it!) Well, Harry’s triumph over Voldemort began with saying the name out loud, and we know that “Macbeth” is regularly performed successfully on stages worldwide, with most characters speaking the name “Macbeth” out loud. So, what about Ohio State and Michigan?

Perhaps this irrational reluctance to say the name has become a psychological stumbling block leading to unlikely losses by OSU teams that were more talented than Michigan. It certainly seems like something negative is playing with their heads.

As spring training gears up, I have a suggestion for coach Day: Get it out of your head – SAY THE NAME!

Harry Campbell, Columbus

Buy Ohio State books, posters, gear from CFP title win

On politics in sports letters to the editor

Hi Brian: You state politics should not be in the sports section, but the sports section of The Columbus Dispatch publishes columns by Nancy Armour that contain criticisms of the president of the United States. Is criticizing our president not political?

Bob Jacobs

To Bob: Actually, I never said politics should not be in the sports section. I said, and I quote myself in last week’s Mailbox, “All sports discussions are best without any political accusations, leaning or segmentation.” Also, in my personal life, I get up and walk away from any sports discussion that delves into politics. In fact, I get up and walk away from any discussion of any sort that delves into politics. It didn’t used to be that way, but now it’s a key to a happier life.