Tag: ohio state

Tim Banks previews Vols playing against Ohio State’s offense

Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks previews the Vols playing against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will play in its first College Football Playoff as a No. 9 seed. The Vols will travel to No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) on Saturday in the first round.

Kickoff between Tennessee and the Buckeyes is slated for 8 p.m. EST (ABC) at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Fourth-year Tennessee defensive coordinator Tim Banks met with media on Tuesday and discussed what stands out about Ohio State’s offense.

“I think it’s the skill,” Banks said. “They have really good skill. Traditionally, they have always had really good wideouts. Schematically, they put you in a lot of situations to try to put stress on the defense. They have good coaches and good players. They are an Ohio State team. Some of these teams I have seen in the past, they’re very similar to that.”

Ohio State enters the College Football Playoff first round after suffering a, 13-10, loss to Michigan at home during the regular-season finale.

Banks discussed how the Wolverines were able to have success defensively against Ohio State.

“I think it’s just like anything, it was a rivalry game,” he said. “Those guys played extremely hard against each other and Michigan did a lot of good things. For us, we look at those guys just like I said, a lot of great skill from their running backs to the receivers. Obviously, they’ve got a lot of pride up front how they go about their business. I just think anytime you play in a rivalry game, anything can happen. Obviously, Michigan was very fortunate that day.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee practices in preparation for Ohio State

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Braylon Staley ‘continued to grow’ during freshman season

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discusses how freshman wide receiver Braylon Staley continued to grow in 2024.

Wide receiver Braylon Staley appeared in three games for the Vols during his freshman regular-season.

The 6-foot, 190-pound wide receiver recorded one reception for 10 yards. He played in games against Kent State, Mississippi State and UTEP.

Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel discussed how ready Staley is if his name were to be called on against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

“Braylon has done a great job,” Heupel said. “Young player, just has continued to grow through the winter, through the spring, through the summer. More opportunities, chose to play in the four, kept the redshirt, but he is more than ready to go and play in this one.”

Staley went to Tennessee from Strom Thurmond High School in Edgefield County, South Carolina.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Photos of Tennessee preparing for first-round CFP game at Ohio State

PHOTOS: Tennessee prepares for first-round College Football Playoff game at Ohio State

No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) is preparing to play at No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) in the first-round of the College Football Playoff.

The Buckeyes will host the Vols on Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio (8 p.m. EST, ABC).

“One of the goals for our program is to earn the right to get into this tournament,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “I am proud of what our guys have done in the first week of this preparation. We have gotten a lot of young-guy work. We have been intentional with that throughout the course of the season as well and have tried to continue that as we have shifted our focus to Ohio State. All the work and energy that you put into it, this is where you want to be.”

Below are photos of Tennessee practicing on Tuesday at Anderson Training Center.

Vols have Rose Bowl on the line for first time since 2001

Tennessee will play for an opportunity to be in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 2001.

No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will play No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Kickoff between the Vols and Buckeyes is slated for 8 p.m. EST at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. ABC will televise the contest.

The winner of Saturday’s game will advance to the Rose Bowl to play No. 1 seed Oregon (13-0, 9-0 Big Ten).

The last time the Vols played for an opportunity to appear in the Rose Bowl was during the 2001 season. Tennessee, however, lost to LSU, 31-20, in the SEC championship game.

Tennessee’s loss cost the Vols a chance to play for a BCS national championship against Miami in Pasadena, California.

Tennessee led the Tigers, 17-10, at halftime. The Vols only scored three points after halftime, a 21-yard field goal by Alex Walls in the fourth quarter.

LSU backup quarterback Matt Mauck replaced starter Rohan Davey, who was injured.

Mauck completed 5-of-15 passing attempts for 67 yards. He also recorded 43 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 12 attempts. He was named MVP of the game.

Tennessee quarterback Casey Clausen completed 27-of-43 passing attempts for 332 yards and two touchdowns. Kelley Washington and Troy Fleming each had one touchdown reception in the contest.

Tennessee finished the season with a 11-2 record (7-1 SEC). After not making the Rose Bowl, the Vols defeated Michigan, 45-17, in the Citrus Bowl.

23 years later, the Vols and fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel will compete Saturday for an opportunity to play in the Rose Bowl.

Tennessee last played in the Rose Bowl game on Jan. 1, 1945 against USC (L, 25-0). The Vols also played USC on Jan. 1, 1940 in their other Rose Bowl appearance (L, 14-0).

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Josh Heupel previews CFP: ‘A lot of work has gone on to get to this point’

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel kicks off game week and discusses the Vols playing in the College Football Playoff against Ohio State.

No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will play at No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) on Saturday. The matchup is a first-round game in the College Football Playoff.

Kickoff between the Vols and Buckeyes is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST (ABC) at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel met with media on Monday to kick off game week.

“Great opportunity this week, playing a big game against a great opponent,” Heupel said. “A lot of work has gone on to get to this point. The guys started back in January, staff and players together. They’ve earned the right to play in a game like this.

“A great opponent, great venue. You look at Ohio State, and defensively they lead almost every category in the country. Offensively, they have elite players on that side of the ball. They tie it together well with special teams. 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. A great opportunity. I hope we see a bunch of our fans showing up, as well.”

READ: Georgia, Tennessee top 2024 SEC football regular-season power rankings

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Dylan Sampson previews College Football Playoff game at Ohio State

Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson previews the Vols playing at Ohio State in the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee junior running back Dylan Sampson recorded a historic campaign during the 2024 regular season.

The 5-foot-1, 201-pound running back set the following single-season program records: Total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132), rushing yards (1,485) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11).

Sampson is the second player in Tennessee program history with 10 100-yard rushing games in a single season. Jay Graham totaled 11 in 1995.

He earned the following honors this season: SEC Offensive Player of the Year (AP, Coaches), USA TODAY SEC Player of the Year, All-America Second Team (The Athletic, Walter Camp) and All-SEC First Team (AP, Coaches).

Sampson met with media on Monday to kick off game week in preparation for Tennessee’s first-round College Football Playoff contest at Ohio State.

“This is everything we worked for in the offseason,” Sampson said. “This is was what we expected. This is what we grinded for and it doesn’t stop now. This wasn’t the goal to just get to this game, but we got to attack it the right way.”

Kickoff between the Vols and Buckeyes is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Miles Kitselman discusses 12-team College Football Playoff format

Tennessee senior tight end Miles Kitselman previews the Vols’ matchup at Ohio State in the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Tennessee senior tight end Miles Kitselman is playing for a College Football Playoff team in a second consecutive season with two different schools.

The 6-foot-5, 256-pound tight end transferred to Tennessee after playing at Alabama from 2022-23.

Kitselman met with media on Monday to kick off game week as the Vols prepare to play at Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

He discussed the College Football Playoff having a 12-team format for the first time.

“I think it’s great,” he said of the new format. “With a four-team playoff, you saw a ton of teams that are very talented and don’t get an opportunity to be in the playoffs. You know a 12-team playoff, I think is great for college football. I’m just blessed that we have the opportunity to do it. Doesn’t really feel any different. It’s just another week you have to get ready to play a great game.”

Kitselman appeared in 12 games for the Vols during the 2024 regular season. He recorded 21 receptions for 296 yards and four touchdowns.

Danny White and Miles Kitselman. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee’s all time football record versus current Big Ten schools

A look at Tennessee’s all time record versus current Big Ten schools in football.

Tennessee will play Ohio State for a second time in program history on Saturday. The Vols lead the all time series, 1-0.

Tennessee defeated the Buckeyes, 20-14, on Jan. 1, 1996 in the Citrus Bowl. The only meeting between the two schools took place in Orlando, Florida.

Saturday’s Tennessee-Ohio State matchup will also be in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Kickoff is slated for 8 p.m. EST at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. ABC will televise the first-round contest.

The 2024 season marked the first campaign for the Big Ten with Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington as league members.

Below are all time records for Tennessee versus current Big Ten schools in football.

  • Illinois: Never played
  • Indiana: Tennessee leads, 2-0 on the field (1-0 NCAA)
  • Iowa: Tennessee leads, 3-1
  • Maryland: Tennessee leads, 5-3
  • Michigan: Tennessee leads, 1-0
  • Michigan State: Never played
  • Minnesota: Tennessee leads, 1-0
  • Nebraska: Nebraska leads, 2-1
  • Northwestern: Tennessee leads, 2-0
  • Ohio State: Tennessee leads, 1-0
  • Oregon: Oregon leads, 2-0
  • Penn State: Penn State leads, 3-2
  • Purdue: Purdue leads, 2-0
  • Rutgers: Tennessee leads, 3-1
  • UCLA: Tennessee leads, 7-6-2
  • USC: USC leads, 4-0
  • Washington: Never played
  • Wisconsin: Tennessee leads, 2-0
    *Information from the 2024 University of Tennessee Football Media Guide

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Ohio State football series

Scott Halleran

Report: Wisconsin lands visit with Ohio State transfer wide receiver, former top recruit

Another high-profile transfer visit for the Badgers

Wisconsin is scheduled to host Ohio State transfer wide receiver Jayden Ballard on an official visit, according to a report from 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

The Badgers recently landed their first two transfer commitments in the cycle, the latest from top tight end Tanner Koziol. Ballard joins the program’s growing list of visits and significant interests.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, interests and commitments

The former Ohio State Buckeye was a former top recruit in the class of 2021, ranked as the No. 55 overall player in the class and No. 4 wide receiver. He was one of the top recruits in a Buckeyes class that finished the cycle ranked No. 2 in the nation — headlined by quarterback Quinn Ewers, defensive lineman J.T. Tuimoloau, DL Jack Sawyer, offensive tackle Donovan Jackson and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.

Ballard never rose to the top of the wide receiver depth chart during his time with the school. His most productive season came in 2022: eight catches, 155 yards and one touchdown. His career numbers in four seasons are 35 games, 11 catches, 177 yards and one score.

He is in the portal with one year of eligibility remaining.

Wisconsin continues to target the wide receiver position after a pair of sub-par passing seasons under former coordinator Phil Longo. New offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes plans to return the Badgers to a more pro-style approach. As seen most recently in 2019 with Quintez Cephus, that pro-style offense works best with top talents on the outside.

Ballard may not fit the exact bill of top talent after struggling to produce at Ohio State. But sometimes, a change of scenery is all that’s necessary. That is what Wisconsin is hoping for by pursuing the former top recruit.

For more on Wisconsin’s portal activity this cycle, bookmark our transfer offer, visit and commitment tracker.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Game day weather forecast one week out for Tennessee-Ohio State

Updated weather forecast for the Tennessee-Ohio State game in Columbus.

The first-round of the College Football Playoff will be contested Dec. 20-21.

No. 9 seed Tennessee (10-2, 6-2 SEC) will play at No. 8 seed Ohio State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) on Dec. 21. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

The contest will be the first for Tennessee all time playing in Ohio.

With seven days remaining until kickoff, Vols Wire looks at the weather forecast for the Tennessee-Ohio State contest. The Weather Channel’s 10-day forecast is projecting a high of 30 degrees with a 19 degree low in Columbus on Dec. 21.

During the day on Dec. 21, conditions are projected as mostly cloudy, 10-15 mph wind and an 11 percent chance of a wintry mix. A few clouds from time to time, 5-10 mph wind and a two percent chance of a wintry mix is projected at night for the game.

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Ohio State football series through the years

Doral Chenoweth/USA TODAY Network