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Ohio State is the perfect opponent for Tennessee in the College Football Playoff

By Colton Pickard

Oct 19, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Dylan Sampson (6) celebrates after a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Dylan Sampson (6) celebrates after a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images / Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
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Tennessee is heading to Columbus, Ohio, to play Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Among the teams with a home Playoff game, this is the best matchup for the Vols, who want to win their first game of the CFP era. 

There are some areas in which Ohio State has glaring issues throughout the season that benefit Tennessee's style of play. 

Ohio State's run defense hasn't been great throughout the season, and it was evident against Michigan. The Wolverines outrushed the Buckeyes 172 yards to 77 yards. Michigan held OSU to less than 100 rushing yards, and Tennessee's rush defense has been much better than Michigan's this season. 

Tennessee averages 50 rushing yards more per game than Michigan. Oregon is the best team Ohio State played; they rushed for 177 yards. The Ducks are not nearly as efficient running the ball as Tennessee has been, even against the best opponents. 

Tennessee averages 201 rushing yards against ranked opponents this season. In those four games, Tennessee rushed for less than 150 yards once, and they had 146 yards in that one game. 

If the Vols want to gain an advantage offensively, it's going to be on the ground. Tennessee also holds an advantage in the trenches against Ohio State's offensive line. 

Tennessee's front seven has been dominant this season, shutting down Jalen Milroe and Alabama's explosive offense and only allowing 20 or more points twice. The defense is statistically among the best in the country and can force offenses to make uncharacteristic decisions in a desperate attempt to move the football. 

Ryan Day's offense has struggled against good defenses all season. Outside of the top few teams in the Big Ten, the conference has been down across the board. Ohio State hasn't faced very many really good defenses. 

They have faced some really good teams in Oregon and Penn State. Tennessee's defense is somewhere in between those two defenses. Oregon allowed 31 points, while the Nittany Lions held the Buckeyes to only 20 points. 

That's right in Tennessee's wheelhouse defensively. Georgia's offense is the only team that has truly taken advantage of the Vols defense this season, and that required a perfect game from Carson Beck. 

It's unlikely we'll see the same performance from Will Howard and company after a dreadful end of the season. If Tennessee gets the version of Ohio State we've seen most recently, it could be the perfect matchup for the Vols. 

If Tennessee can earn the road win against the Buckeyes, the Vols will be rewarded with a trip out West to face the best team in the country, the Oregon Ducks. The Vols won't play in Eugene, but it will likely be a trip to the Rose Bowl. 

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