Ohio State fans are probably still stewing on the loss to Michigan, but the Buckeyes have a big game coming to Columbus. The Buckeyes opened as a touchdown favorite against Tennessee in a College Football Playoff first-round game and that line has been mostly stable, moving to -7.5 closer to gameday.
No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Ohio State
The Buckeyes and Volunteers both have elite defenses. Ohio State is the national leader in both points allowed per game (10.9) and yards allowed per game (241.1). Tennessee is tied for fourth in points allowed (13.9) and is fourth in yards allowed (278). Throw in winter weather in Ohio, and this one unsurprisingly has the lowest listed point total of the four first-round games.
The vibes around these two programs are very different entering the CFP. OSU coach Ryan Day is on the hot seat in Columbus and could use a win or two to keep his job safe. If Day loses another massive home game, things could get ugly.
The thought of a coach being on the hot seat after making the CFP is a twist new to the 12-team era. That’s what happens when you lose to your rival for a fourth straight year, with the last one coming against a 6-5 team that was barely functional at quarterback.
Tennessee has a talented quarterback in Nico Iamaleava, but the redshirt freshman threw for fewer than 200 yards on seven occasions this season. Running back Dylan Sampson has been the Vols’ workhorse with 1,485 yards. Tennessee’s offense has had a number of slow starts, with a string of four straight games where the Vols scored fewer than 10 points in the first half, including in a 19-14 loss at Arkansas. Iamaleava and Sampson will both need big games against the Buckeyes’ stout defensive unit to prevent another offensive lull.
Meanwhile, OSU will have to handle Tennessee’s nasty defensive line that features potential first-round pick James Pearce Jr. OSU quarterback Will Howard threw two picks against Michigan and will likely have to play better against a defense that could be even tougher.
The Buckeyes still have an absurdly talented receiver room featuring Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate and freshman Jeremiah Smith. All three will likely be playing on Sundays in the near future, but OSU will have to protect Howard enough for him to be able to get those playmakers the ball. OSU’s offensive line has come under a lot of scrutiny this year, and Tennessee’s defense could be a matchup nightmare.
Flawed offenses against elite defenses? On top of that, the high temperature on Saturday is expected to be below freezing. This game could be a grind.
The only time these programs met was in the 1996 Florida Citrus Bowl, which the Vols won 20-14.
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