Jon Gruden predicts who will win College Football Playoff game between Tennessee Vols and Ohio State Buckeyes

Former NFL head coach and current Barstool Sports personality Jon Gruden has made his predictions for the College Football Playoff and Tennessee Vols fans will somewhat like what he had to say.  Gruden, who served as a graduate assistant at Tennessee under Johnny Majors in the 1980s, thinks the Vols will get a win in […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Nico Iamaleava

Former NFL head coach and current Barstool Sports personality Jon Gruden has made his predictions for the College Football Playoff and Tennessee Vols fans will somewhat like what he had to say. 

Gruden, who served as a graduate assistant at Tennessee under Johnny Majors in the 1980s, thinks the Vols will get a win in their first round matchup against the Ohio State Buckeyes. 

The former Super Bowl-winning head coach pointed out that he's a big fan of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava while picking the Vols. 

"I can't get over what Ohio State did in their season finale against Michigan," said Gruden. "I'm going to go with Tennessee as a road winner here. I love their quarterback — I think he can create with his legs. And they do have two very good pass rushers." 

If Tennessee is able to pull off the upset against Ohio State, they'll advance to quarterfinals of the playoff where a showdown with the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl awaits. 

And that's where Gruden thinks the Vols' 2024 season will end. 

"I think this is where the rubber meets the road for Tennessee," said Gruden while previewing a potential matchup against Oregon. "I just think Oregon has an experienced quarterback, a very good head coach, defensive minded. I like the Ducks."

(Gruden has Oregon eventually beating Georgia in the national championship game.)

A game against Oregon would certainly be a tough rest for the Vols, but Tennessee's sole focus this weekend is on Ohio State. The Vols are well aware that a matchup against Oregon won't exist unless Tennessee can find a way to leave the Horseshoe with a win against the Buckeyes on Saturday night. 

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