Just like Tennessee, Ohio State is led by an offensive-minded head coach who is supposed to win games with skill players standing out, and while there is no shortage of that on Ryan Day’s team, the heart of their success this year has been on defense. Here are the five most important OSU players to watch for against the Vols in Saturday’s College Football Playoff matchup.
5. TreVeyon Henderson, RB
Quinshod Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson split carries at running back, but Henderson is clearly the better back. He has 108 carries for 751 yards and six touchdowns, averaging seven yards a carry, while catching 19 passes for 135 yards. Tennessee will have to key in on both, so this is really a by-committee selection, but Henderson is the bigger star.
4. Will Howard, QB
Although he has been inconsistent at times, Will Howard is 227-of-314 (72.3 percent) for 2,860 yards on the year (9.1 yards per attempt), 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Oh, he also has 72 carries for 171 yards and another seven touchdowns. Howard proved in a loss to the Oregon Ducks, where he was elite, that he can step up in big games.
3. Jeremiah Smith, WR
Part of stepping up in big games includes Howard’s pass protection with Donovan Jackson, and the other part is his weapons at receiver, most notably Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Emeka Egbuka. Smith is the best of that group, though, having caught 57 passes for 934 yards and an impressive 10 touchdowns on the year, so his matchup with Jermod McCoy may be the matchup of the game.
2. Caleb Downs, DB
Both safeties for Ohio State are elite, and Lathan Ransom definitely deserves a shoutout with three forced fumbles, but Caleb Downs is the star. The free safety has seven tackles for a loss, three pass deflections, an interception and 62 total tackles, 34 of which were solo. He dictates quarterback decisions, a rare move for a free safety, so he has to make this list.
1. J.T. Tuimoloau, DE
Pass protection, despite improving, has been a major issue for Tennessee all year, and J.T. Tuimoloau is one of the best pass rushers in college football this year. He’s got 12 tackles for a loss, six sacks, a forced fumble and 38 total tackles, 19 of which were solo, on the year. Tennessee is the type of game where he could go off, so the Vols have to be ready.
