First-quarter explosion sends No. 8 Ohio State past No. 9 Vols

(Photo credit: Adam Cairns-Imagn Images)
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Will Howard threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, both to Jeremiah Smith, while TreVeyon Henderson rushed for two scores as No. 8 seed Ohio State routed No. 9 seed Tennessee 42-17 in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday.

Ohio State (11-2) will play No. 1 seed Oregon (13-0) in the quarterfinals in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on Jan.