History Repeats Itself: Ohio State and Tennessee Meet Again
The stage is set for a thrilling matchup between Ohio State and Tennessee next Saturday in the College Football Playoff. This will be the second meeting between the two schools, with the first encounter dating back to the 1996 Citrus Bowl.
The 1996 Citrus Bowl was a memorable game, marked by controversy surrounding the cleats worn by the Tennessee players. The Volunteers’ 20-14 victory over Ohio State was tainted by allegations that 19 Tennessee players wore soccer cleats that exceeded the NCAA’s maximum length of half an inch.
The game was played on a rain-soaked field, which made the conditions slippery and challenging for both teams. Despite the adversity, Tennessee managed to secure a hard-fought win, thanks in part to a 69-yard touchdown run by Jay Graham in the second quarter.
In the aftermath of the game, Ohio State coach John Cooper raised concerns about the cleats worn by the Tennessee players. Cooper produced a pair of soccer cleats worn by Volunteer wide receiver Joey Kent, which were clearly above the NCAA’s half-inch provision.
However, Tennessee’s Eddie George, who played in the game, has downplayed the significance of the cleats. In a recent interview, George stated that the Volunteers beat the Buckeyes “fair and square” and that he would never use the cleats as an excuse for the loss.
As the two teams prepare to meet again next Saturday, the stakes are higher than ever. The winner will advance to the next round of the College Football Playoff, while the loser will be eliminated.
The game promises to be an exciting and closely contested matchup between two of the top teams in college football. Will history repeat itself, or will Ohio State exact revenge for their 1996 loss? Tune in next Saturday to find out.
