TSB Staff Picks: Ohio State takes on Tennessee in a colossal program-defining game in the First Round of the CFP.
Dave: 27-24 Tennessee
Blake: Doubt surrounds the Ohio State football program heading into this game against Tennessee. Uncertain expectations are prevalent as well, so allow me to set them for you. I believe we will see the best version of Ohio State on Saturday night. The home atmosphere under the lights with a chance at “redemption” to send the seniors out with a win in Ohio Stadium will propel this team to victory. Minimizing the loss to Michigan is not on the table – The Game is everything. However, life is about how you respond and the Buckeyes will be motivated to re-write the ending to the 2024 season’s story.
Dan: We could talk X’s and O’s all day. We can talk about the weather. We can talk about the pressure on head coach Ryan Day. However, this game is so much more than all of that. It’s a chance for The Ohio State University to stick it to the SEC and prove the doubters wrong. This team has been ridiculed beyond belief over the last 3 weeks. Buckeyes take out their frustration on the Volunteers 27-18
Cass: It’s been a long three weeks and I think the Buckeyes are ready to avenge that TTUN loss! I think the seniors will want to come out play inspired and play their best football all season. The Buckeyes will neutralize Dylan Sampson and make Nico Iamaleava beat him with his arm and I think Jim Knowles will dial up some blitzes to force turnovers. Offensively the Buckeyes need to get it in Smith, Tate, and Egbuka to open the run game. Will Howard will have his best game as a Buckeye. When the Buckeyes win, Jack Sawyer will lead TBDBITL to Rocky Top. The Buckeyes defeat the Vols 28-17.
Carson H: Ryan Day and the veterans of this team know this is their last chance to avenge some previous mistakes and make a run at a National Championship, with a rematch against Oregon looming. The world-famous Buckeyes will take it one game at a time and use their weapons the right way this game. The defense will continue to be one of the best in the country, and the Buckeyes will win a scrappy game to move on to a Rose Bowl date with the Ducks. Ohio State 28 Tennessee 17
Carson M: The Buckeyes are the aggressor in this game. Ryan Day has the Buckeyes ready for once, and they come out pissed off and display things we would have loved to see against Michigan including attacking the Vols secondary with an aggressive vertical pass game. The Vols will be successful running the ball against the Ohio State D with Dylan Sampson but not enough to keep pace with the Buckeyes air raid, Buckeyes 38 Vols 17
AJ: Tennessee Puts up a solid fight but it isn’t enough as OSU pulls through late. Ohio State 35 Tennessee 24
