Ohio State Prepares for Battle Against Tennessee in College Football Playoff
The stage is set for a thrilling matchup between Ohio State and Tennessee in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday night at Ohio Stadium. This marks the sixth CFP appearance for the Buckeyes, who are seeking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Michigan in their previous game.
The Buckeyes, seeded eighth in the 12-team playoff, will face off against the ninth-seeded Volunteers in a battle that promises to be intense and closely contested. The winner will advance to face the undefeated Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
A Brief History Between the Two Teams
Saturday’s game marks only the second-ever meeting between Ohio State and Tennessee. The Volunteers won the first meeting 20-14 in the 1996 Citrus Bowl, with both teams entering the game with just one loss on the season. That game featured a number of future NFL stars, including Eddie George, Terry Glenn, and Peyton Manning.
Rebounding from a Tough Loss
The Buckeyes are looking to rebound from a frustrating 13-10 loss to Michigan, which denied them a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game and a shot at a first-round bye in the playoff. The loss was especially disappointing given that Ohio State played right into the hands of the Wolverines, struggling to run the ball against a stout Michigan defense.
A New Challenge Awaits
On Saturday night, the Buckeye offense will face a new challenge in the form of a strong Tennessee rush defense. Running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson will need to find ways to break through the Volunteer defense, which has been stingy against the run all season.
The Buckeye offense will also be looking to rebound from a lackluster performance against Michigan, in which they squandered several red zone opportunities. Freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith will be looking to build on his impressive performance against the Wolverines, in which he hauled in his 10th receiving touchdown of the year.
A Chance for Records to Fall
Senior receiver Emeka Egbuka will be hoping to extend his Ohio State career with a win over the Volunteers. A victory would give him a chance to work on several school receiving records, including the top spot in receptions and receiving yards.
With the stakes high and the intensity palpable, Saturday’s game promises to be an instant classic. Will the Buckeyes be able to rebound from their tough loss to Michigan and advance to the next round of the playoff, or will the Volunteers pull off the upset? One thing is certain: the stage is set for a thrilling showdown between two of the nation’s top teams.
