After the College Football Playoff began on Friday with No. 7 Notre Dame handling No. 10 Indiana, the first round wrapped up with three lopsided results on Saturday.
Penn State took care of business in Happy Valley to start the day, using two early pick-6s to pull away with a 38-10 win against an overmatched SMU. Later, in Austin, No. 5 Texas had its way with No. 12 Clemson in a 38-24 game that was not as close as the final score would indicate. The nightcap was even more one-sided, with No. 8 Ohio State pulling away from No. 9 Tennessee in a 42-17 win.
What was the reason for all the blowouts? Line play was one key that stood out in each matchup.
The quarterfinals matchups are now set, and on paper there should be some much more competitive games.
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Final: Ohio State 42, Tennessee 17
The Buckeyes advance and will take on Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.