If you believe the narrative that has come from the SEC and Big Ten in recent years, Tennessee had better be ready up front.
True or not, the Big Ten is viewed as a three-yards-and-a-cloud-of dust league and more physical while the SEC is viewed as a leave-you-in-the-dust league. In all fairness, the truth lies somewhere in between.
The Vols are actually ranked No. 9 in the nation in rushing yards per game with 232 yards per contest. Ohio State is ranked No. 59 in the country, with 169 yards per game. So what gives? Well, first the two teams do take pride in running the football, but they haven’t let the spread offense pass them by. However, it seems clear per simple statistics that the Vols are a much better running team than Ohio State. That could set up all kinds of things in the passing game for Tennessee.
Tennessee is blessed with an elite defense that gives up just 99.5-yards per game this season on the ground. That’s eighth-best in the nation. Ohio State is seventh in the country, allowing 97 yards per game rushing. If there’s one area in which the Vols should have an advantage in the trenches, it’s when Tennessee has the ball. The difference may be negligible statistically, but it’s proven to be true, especially when the Buckeyes need a short-yard gain or defensive stop late in games.
“Showcase that we want to be the best team in the country, the best defense in the country and the best offense in the country,” Tennessee defensive lineman Omari Thomas said when asked what the Vols’ first-round matchup against Ohio State on Jan. 20 means for him and his teammates. “We just want to go out there and do that. Go out there, have fun and play with each other. It’s another opportunity for us. It doesn’t really matter where we play. We are more so ready for the opportunity, and we are blessed to be here, honestly.”
The game, as most everyone knows, will be won on the line of scrimmage. Both teams have skill-position players, but the Vols seem to have an advantage on the interior of the offensive line and on the defensive front. That, however, has yet to be determined.
“It’s very critical that you have to win the line of scrimmage,” Thomas said. “You have to win your one-on-ones all over the field, on the line of scrimmage and outside on the perimeter. Ohio State is a great team. They have players all over the field, weapons all over the field. They have a good offensive line, good running backs, quarterback and receivers, so they are definitely a stacked team with elite players. We just have to be on our A-game and win our one-on-ones, so that way we can win the battle.”
That battle will be won in the trenches.
