Tennessee wanted an upper-tier, first College Football Playoff game to showcase the Vols’ talents on a national stage. Be careful what you wish for.
Ohio State, which the Vols will face on Saturday at 8 p.m. EST in Ohio Stadium, has the sort of defense that can make lessor teams cower. Let’s start with the Buckeyes’ status on the ground. In yards gained on the ground, Ohio State’s defense allows just 97 per game, which is seventh best in the nation.
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson seemed undaunted as the junior met with the media on Monday.
“This is everything we worked for in the offseason,” Sampson said of the matchup with the Buckeyes, which also rank first in yards allowed per game (241) and first in points allowed (10.9) per game in the nation.
Josh Heupel also didn’t shy away from the daunting task
“You look at Ohio State, and defensively they lead almost every category in the country,” Heupel said. “Offensively, they have elite players on that side of the ball. They tie it together well with special teams. So, it is a huge challenge for us, but one we are really excited about. Preparation has been good. We have to continue that this week and get ready to go play our best football when we get up to Columbus.”
That’s what the Vols wished for all along.
As for Sampson, who set the single-season scoring, rushing yards and touchdowns records at Tennessee this year, Ohio State will be an incredible test. The Vols have elite talent on the interior of their offensive line as well, so this could be the best matchup of the game.
Heupel said Sampson has been part of the building blocks of this program.
“A guy like Dylan (Sampson) that bought into the vision before there was tangible proof on the field of who we are, what we are about and how we are going to go play together,” he said. “It only happens because of the guys inside that locker room. It’s a room filled with guys that care about the guys around them. They are elite competitors. Really proud of what they’ve done again to restamp this program.”
