We are inching closer to the showdown between Tennessee football and Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoff. People in Knoxville are fired up about the Vols potentially posting an upset in Columbus, but not a lot of reporters around the country have faith in this squad.
ESPN's analyst Greg McElroy, a former Alabama quarterback, is on the list of those who don't think the Vols are going to put up much of a fight. Really? While providing his predictions for the matchup between the Volunteers and Buckeyes, he certainly gave Josh Heupel and Co. extra motivation for Saturday night.
Greg McElroy thinks Ohio State beats Tennessee “comfortably” on Saturday night in Columbus pic.twitter.com/oh2xrOwhLU
— zach ragan (@zachTNT) December 18, 2024
Greg McElroy thinks Ohio State will cruise to a win against Tennessee
"I think we see Ohio State's best in this performance," McElroy said. "I think Ryan Day knows they need it. I think the defensive plan will slow down an offense that at times has been a little bit inconsistent and I think their defensive front will take advantage of the edges of the offensive line for Tennessee and create a lot of problems for Nico Iamaleava. I like Ohio State to win this game comfortably and I also think their defense will slow down Tennessee in the process.
We can only hope that the video above is shown to Cooper Mays and the rest of the offensive line. You think Nico Iamaleava appreciates hearing someone bash the rest of his team like this? Not a chance. Tennessee is the underdog for this one, but they could care less about that.
Heupel has his guys fired up, while running back Dylan Sampson sent a message by saying this team overall isn't satisfied with just making the CFP. Nope, the Vols are ready to go on a run and silence their doubters. It's not going to be easy for them, we know that.
At the same time, to say Ohio State is going to win 'comfortably' seems a bit off. This is going to be a back-and-forth affair, which could come down to the final possession. Tennessee is going to be ready for this one and McElroy definitely has people hoping the Vols will make him eat his words.