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Buckeyes’ winterization efforts detailed for Ohio Stadium in College Football Playoff

Ohio State’s winterization efforts detailed for Ohio Stadium in the College Football Playoff versus Tennessee.

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

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

ABC will televise the first-round matchup. Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe and Marty Smith (reporters) will be on the call.

Ohio State announced winterization efforts for Ohio Stadium ahead of hosting the College Football Playoff and the 2025 NHL Stadium Series, featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets playing the Detroit Red Wings.

“Ohio State has been preparing for a December game at Ohio Stadium ever since the CFP announced it would have first-round playoff sites,” Ohio State announced. “The department of athletics will host the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings at Ohio Stadium in an NHL Stadium Series game this March.

“Efforts to winterize the stadium for these CFP and NHL contests include: Repairing and replacing all existing heat trace piping for cold water piping; Adding portable heaters to concession stands (96 heaters); Continuing the heat trace repair/replace efforts for additional cold water piping and sanitary drops in B, C and D deck; Having plumbers – both university and contracted – on standby throughout the week and at the game; and purchasing equipment and having an army of individuals on standby for snow removal.”

READ: Ohio State announces tailgating, game day timeline against Tennessee

Big 12 lineman commits to Tennessee football

Tennessee football receives commitment from a Big 12 lineman in the NCAA transfer portal.

Arizona offensive lineman Wendell Moe Jr. committed to Tennessee from the NCAA transfer portal on Wednesday, according to Pete Nakos of On3.

Moe Jr. committed to the Vols over several schools, including Auburn and Miami.

The 6-foot-2, 339 pound transfer went to Arizona from Long Beach Poly High School in Long Beach, California.

He was ranked as the No. 153 player in the NCAA transfer portal and the No. 11 interior offensive lineman. As a high school prospect, Moe Jr. ranked as the No. 78 interior offensive lineman and No. 148 prospect in California, according to 247Sports.

He started in 11-of-12 games for Arizona in 2024 and also earned second-team All-Pac 12 honors in 2023.

Moe Jr. committed to the Wildcats on April 30, 2022. He is the first NCAA transfer portal addition for Tennessee following the 2024 regular season.

Bryson Eason discusses Tennessee facing Ohio State’s offensive line

Tennessee defensive lineman Bryson Eason details the Vols facing Ohio State’s offensive line in the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State enters the first round of the College Football Playoff with its offense averaging 37.5 points per game during the regular season.

The Buckeyes also averaged 254.3 passing yards and 169.2 rushing yards per game.

Ohio State allowed 13 sacks for 85 yards in 12 games.

Ahead of the Vols playing at Ohio State in the first round, Tennessee redshirt senior defensive lineman Bryson Eason discussed preparing for the Buckeyes’ offensive line.

“Just looking more so at the team’s scheme, and what they do, and what type of run plays they like to do, and what types of runs they like to do,” Eason said. “We are just majority focused on what they like to do and not who is doing it. Focusing on the scheme, and, simple as that, just focus on the scheme and what we have to take care of. That’s really about it. We aren’t really focused on who is in and who is not.”

Eason appeared in 12 games for Tennessee during the regular season. He recorded 24 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and one pass deflection.

Mike Matthews’ role detailed for Vols ahead of College Football Playoff

Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle discusses Mike Matthews’ role ahead of the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee wide receiver Mike Matthews appeared in 10 games during his freshman regular season in 2024.

The 6-foot-1, 197-pound freshman totaled seven receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns. He also recorded 32 yards on one kick return.

Tennessee will next play in the first round of the College Football Playoff at Ohio State on Saturday (8 p.m. EST, ABC).

Ahead of Saturday’s matchup, Tennessee offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joey Halzle met with media. He discussed if Matthews can contribute during the College Football Playoff.

“We fully intend on Mike being a big part of everything we’re doing,” Halzle said. “It’s the same thing now. If this goes the way you want it to go, you’ve got four games left. You’ve got a quarter of a season left to play right here. All those guys that are here and going, we expect them to play at high level. We feel comfortable throwing anybody out there. Our guys are prepared and ready to play, and they’re dang good players. Anybody that’s called upon, we expect that they go out and they play at a high level. We expect to see that here every week.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Ohio State football series through the years

A look back at Tennessee’s victory against Ohio State in 1996 Citrus Bowl

A look back at Tennessee’s win versus Ohio State in the 1996 Citrus Bowl.

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.

Each week, Vols Wire looks back at a memorable game between Tennessee and its upcoming opponent. This installment will revisit the Vols’, 20-14, victory versus Ohio State in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 1996.

The game was played in Orlando, Florida and is the only time the two teams have met in football.

The contest was tied, 7-7, at halftime.

Ohio State led, 7-0, after Heisman Trophy-running back Eddie George scored on a 2-yard rushing attempt.

The Vols tied the game during the second quarter after a 69-yard touchdown run by Jay Graham with 23 seconds remaining in the first half.

Peyton Manning completed a 47-yard touchdown pass to Joey Kent in the third quarter.

After the Buckeyes tied the game in the fourth quarter, Tennessee’s Jeff Hall converted two field goals.

Graham totaled 154 rushing yards and one touchdown on 26 attempts and was named MVP.

Manning completed 20-of-35 passing attempts for 182 yards and one passing touchdown.

Kent recorded seven receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown.

No. 1 Tennessee defeats Western Carolina to remain undefeated

No. 1 Tennessee basketball defeats Western Carolina to remain undefeated.

No. 1 Tennessee (11-0) defeated Western Carolina (3-7), 84-36, on Tuesday at Food City Center. Rankings reflect the USA TODAY Sports Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll.

Chaz Lanier led the Vols in scoring with 19 points. He converted 8-of-19 field goal attempts and 3-of-7 three-point attempts.

Zakai Zeigler led Tennessee in assists (9) and rebounds (10).

Tennessee totaled 37 bench points, 44 points in the paint, 32 points off turnovers, 10 second chance points and 22 fast break points.

Bernard Pelote led Western Carolina in scoring with 10 points.

The Vols will next play Middle Tennessee State on Dec. 23 at Food City Center. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. EST and will be televised by SEC Network.

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

Tennessee redshirt freshman wide receiver ‘officially in transfer portal’

Tennessee redshirt freshman wide receiver announces he is officially in the NCAA transfer portal.

The winter NCAA transfer portal is open Dec. 9-28 for the 2024-25 school year.

Tennessee redshirt freshman wide receiver Nathan Leacock announced he entered the NCAA transfer portal.

“I am now officially in the transfer portal,” he announced.

The 6-foot-3, 217-pound wide receiver appeared in five contests for the Vols during the 2024 regular-season (Chattanooga, North Carolina State, Kent State, Arkansas, Florida). He totaled one reception for 13 yards.

From 2023-24, Leacock appeared in six games at Tennessee. His only reception was in 2024.

He is the fourth Tennessee wide receiver to enter the NCAA transfer portal ahead of the College Football Playoff, joining Nate Spillman and Kaleb Webb, Chas Nimrod.

READ: Ohio State president Ted Carter gives expectation for amount of Tennessee fans traveling to Columbus for CFP game

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.

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.