Buckeye Nation may still be recovering from Ohio State’s heartbreaking loss to Michigan, but here’s the good news: This isn’t the end of the road. In fact, it’s the start of something historic.
The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff is here, and Ohio State’s redemption story is alive and well with Tennessee standing in the way on Dec. 21, when Ohio Stadium hosts its first playoff game in program history. After Buckeyes fans grew restless at the amount of noon kickoffs this season, this primetime matchup offers the perfect stage to reignite the much needed passion in Columbus. What’s better than a night game under the lights at the Shoe? And even better, fans will be decked out in their favorite “Scarlet Out” gear on Saturday night, with athletic director Ross Bjork “looking forward to creating as exciting an environment for the game as possible.”
Following the Buckeyes’ devastating loss to Michigan, head coach Ryan Day was briefly unsure where they would go from here.“Never thought this would happen right here,” he admitted. “We were expecting to win this game and then go play in the Big 10 championship game, and neither of those things happened.”
With three weeks to process that gut punch, it’s time for Ohio State to step up and make some crucial adjustments in order to reclaim its season and prove it belongs in the playoff. Acknowledging the high stakes against Tennessee, Day spoke on the importance of starting strong and setting the tone for a deep playoff run.
“Getting this first win will be critical in building momentum as we head into the teeth of the playoffs,” he said. “And when you look at tournament play, you look at playoffs, we all know that that first game is very important. All our focus is on these guys.”
It’s no secret that Ohio State is under some heat after coming up short against Michigan. As the Buckeyes take the field for the first time since that shocking defeat, the question still remains: What do they need to accomplish in order to pull off a win against the formidable Volunteers?
Leading the SEC with a staggering 232 rushing yards per game, Tennessee makes its intentions clear on the offensive side of the ball. Ohio State only allows 96.8 rushing yards per game, ranking seventh in the country, but this may be its toughest test yet against the Vols’ rushing attack, led by star running back Dylan Sampson, who boasts an impressive 22 touchdowns on the season. If they want to earn a spot in the quarterfinals, the Buckeyes likely must emerge victorious in this battle of strengths.
Meanwhile, under center, redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava heads up Tennessee’s offense. Highly recognized for his young talent, Iamaleava is brimming with confidence and “knows what time it is” entering the Shoe on Saturday. Though Tennessee’s offense is centered on the run game, Iamaleava stands as an essential piece if the Vols want to take home a win. Ohio State starting hot and getting out to an early lead could force Iamaleava to take more shots downfield, something he hasn’t had to do much this year. While few doubt his passing ability, making him uncomfortable in a hostile Columbus environment could prove integral.
While Ohio State is one of the nation’s leaders in scoring, averaging north of 35 points per game, the Buckeyes have often struggled with getting off to a fast start. They trailed early to start big games against Indiana and Penn State before eventually taking control and pulling away. Beating this trend and scoring early against Tennessee would set the tone and energize the home crowd, putting pressure on the visitors. The Buckeyes are more than well-equipped to utilize their talented receivers to strike early and establish what could ultimately define their success in this game.
This sense of urgency seems to be shared across the team, especially among Ohio State’s 29 seniors, who are determined to redeem themselves in their last home appearance.
“The guys on this team want to finish this thing off in the right way,” TreVeyon Henderson said. “Our focus is on Tennessee and moving forward.”
As the Buckeyes look ahead, leadership on the field is a necessity, starting with quarterback Will Howard, who will need to effectively guide his teammates throughout the ups and downs of their first ever home playoff game. “My ability to push this team and to lead this team in this game is going to be crucial, and I know that,” he said. “I need to be the one who sparks an edge and who makes sure I am bringing that all game.”
That spark will be key as Ohio State looks to mark a fresh start. With a chance to make Michigan a distant memory and truly reignite the national championship dream, it’s time for the Buckeyes to leave it all on the field under the lights.
About the Author
Elena Dollinger is a senior at The Ohio State University majoring in Strategic Communication with a minor in Media and Production Analysis. She has been working with Ohio State’s Athletic Department as a Digital Media Intern since her sophomore year, helping to create content for Ohio State Athletics social accounts and managing the @ohiostathletics Instagram story on football gamedays. Follow along with some of her sports content here.
