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Paul Finebaum names CFP team that got the 'worst possible draw'

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated Dec 21, 2024 12:28 AM ET

The College Football Playoff field is set and the first round has already started.

The playoffs began on Friday night with a matchup between the No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) and the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1). The Irish dominated the Hoosiers, 27-17. The remaining three games are scheduled for Saturday, including a game between the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) and the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers (10-2).

On "The Paul Finebaum Show," SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum evaluated the Volunteers' chances in the playoffs. He noted that they were in a challenging position, lacking a bye week, which forced them to face either the No. 5 Texas Longhorns (11-2), the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-2), Notre Dame or Ohio State. Ultimately, he believes Tennessee received the toughest matchup possible.

"The possibilities were Texas, not likely, Penn State, Ohio State, or Notre Dame," Finebaum said. "I think they got the worst possible draw."

The Buckeyes hold the No. 3 position in the nation, per ESPN's Football Power Index. This is likely due to their strong defense. Ohio State excels with the top ranking in total defense and second in pass defense. In comparison, Tennessee boasts one of the premier offenses in the country, currently sitting at No. 8 in total offense. However, their passing performance has been subpar at No. 62, which could be the Vols' downfall.

The Volunteers initiate their offense with a strong run game spearheaded by Dylan Sampson. This season, Tennessee stands at No. 9 in run offense, thanks to Sampson's impressive 1,485 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. However, Ohio State is great against the run, ranking No. 7 in run defense.

Conversely, Ohio State stands at No. 35 in total offense, No. 59 in rushing offense, and No. 38 in passing offense. The Buckeyes feature some of the nation's elite skill position players, including wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, who have surpassed 740 receiving yards. Additionally, they boast two standout running backs, Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, with each exceeding 750 rushing yards with an average of over 5 yards per carry.

Like the Buckeyes, Tennessee features one of the nation's strongest defenses, holding the No. 4 spot in total defense, No. 8 in run defense, and No. 17 in pass defense. Therefore, the outcome will likely hinge on which offense performs best against these elite defenses.

However, the challenge isn't solely because of a first-round match against Ohio State. If Tennessee wins, then it will face the undefeated No. 1 Oregon Ducks (13-0). Following that, the Volunteers might encounter Texas and possibly Georgia. While those final two opponents could change, winning the trophy remains difficult.

The journey starts on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC against Ohio State.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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