ESPN analyst provides strong prediction on what will happen when Ohio State hosts Tennessee in the College Football Playoff
Ohio State and Tennessee will clash on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff. It will be a battle between the Big Ten and SEC for a spot to play Oregon in the next round. Since the Buckeyes lost to Michigan, they lost their chance at getting a Big Ten Championship and […]
Ohio State and Tennessee will clash on Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff. It will be a battle between the Big Ten and SEC for a spot to play Oregon in the next round.
Since the Buckeyes lost to Michigan, they lost their chance at getting a Big Ten Championship and a first-round bye. On the bright side, they now get to have their home fans out in Columbus for the game.
Ohio State is a -7 favorite at home over Tennessee, according to ESPN Bet. The expectation is that Ohio State will handle business at home, but it has to happen first. Ahead of the game, ESPN college football analyst Rece Davis has a prediction on the game.
“Tennessee will not come from behind. If they get behind 17-0, they will not come back,” Davis said recently. “The question remains about Tennessee: if you can get to their secondary, can you exploit it? I think Ohio State’s going to win the game. I’ll take the Buckeyes to advance.”
Ohio State has to get back to being an offense that gets the ball to their playmakers on the outside. Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate have to be given an opportunity to be a problem for the Vols in this game. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly admitted on Monday that the offense didn’t operate how they should. The Buckeyes have to get back to their ways against the Vols.
On defense, Ohio State is going to have to slow down the Vols’ running game which is led by Dylan Sampson. Nico Iamaleava is a capable quarterback but he alone is not going to beat the Buckeyes. If Ohio State takes care of the ball, they’ll be in a good position to win the game.
Beating Tennessee feels like a must for Ryan Day after losing to Michigan for a fourth straight time. Davis and many others think they will be able to do just that.
