Tennessee Vols fans owe ESPN analyst an apology after tough loss to Ohio State
A few days before the Tennessee Vols faced off against Ohio State in Columbus in the first round of the College Football Playoff, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy predicted that the Buckeyes would win "comfortably". "I think we see Ohio State's best in this performance. I think Ryan Day knows they need it," said McElroy. "I […]
A few days before the Tennessee Vols faced off against Ohio State in Columbus in the first round of the College Football Playoff, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy predicted that the Buckeyes would win "comfortably".
"I think we see Ohio State's best in this performance. I think Ryan Day knows they need it," said McElroy. "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."
Vols fans, somewhat understandably, took exception to that prediction from McElroy (as you can see in the replies to the tweet above).
But it turns out that the former Alabama quarterback was 100 percent correct.
Ohio State was dominant on Saturday night against Tennessee, winning 42-17 in a game that was never very close. The second half was quite comfortable for the Buckeyes.
It was a disappointing end to a year that included plenty of ups-and-downs for the Volunteers. But overall — especially considering what the program went through from 2008 to 2020 — it was a solid season for Tennessee. They made the playoff, they beat Alabama and Florida, and they won 10 games for the second time in three seasons. Vols fans have been through a lot worse in recent years.
