College Football Playoff Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tennessee lost two games, at Arkansas and at Georgia.\u00a0They survived in overtime vs. Florida, a week before their (lookahead) game vs. Alabama, which they won.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ohio State got style points for barely losing a great game at Oregon, but that home loss to Michigan as a 19.5 point favorite was not a good look, especially with all the revenge motives.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They did win at Penn State and at home to upstart Indiana, but this game could easily have been played at Tennessee.\u00a0I like this matchup as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tennessee Football Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tennessee has averaged about 24 points per game in SEC play the past two seasons.\u00a0 6\u20196\u201d QB Nico Iamaleava came with much hype, but wasn\u2019t especially star-worthy.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He put up solid numbers, but the offense stayed mostly the same from a year ago.\u00a0 The talent surrounding him is underrated.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
RB Sampson ran for nearly 1,500 yards, at 5.8 per carry, with 22 rush TD\u2019s.\u00a0 Four WR\u2019s and a TE add value.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bru McCoy\u2019s career has been injury-ridden, but at full strength he has NFL potential.\u00a0Squirrel White has had injury issues as well, but when healthy, he is a high-volume target.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both look healthy for this game, and McCoy in particular has come up big in marquee games.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously, Ohio State and its 11-point defense is a massive test, but run-pass balance is available.\u00a0 Defensively, Tennessee remains underrated.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two teams, Georgia (31) and Vanderbilt (23 in the finale) scored over 18 points.\u00a0 Tennessee allowed a corrected for sacks 3.2 yards per carry, slowing down most run teams to below seasonal averages.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Again, host Ohio State will be a test, but I don\u2019t expect a big showing.\u00a0 They will however, have to prevent both the splash run play as well as the splash pass play (see Ohio State notes).\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In \u201923, Tennessee allowed 67% passing.\u00a0The number was 57% this season.\u00a0Alabama (Milroe) was 25-45.\u00a0 Georgia (Beck) was 25-40.\u00a0The goal will be 60% here as they face a QB with electric accuracy.\u00a0The 3rd<\/sup> down success rate was solid on both sides of the ball.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tennessee\u2019s sack ratio regressed to 29-26.\u00a0Despite OL injuries with Ohio State, it\u2019s possible the Vols won\u2019t get to QB Howard much.\u00a0 Kicking was 19-25.\u00a0 The touchback rate was 85%.\u00a0There are two solid punt returners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chip Kelly came over to revitalize and modernize the offense, but his system takes time to learn.\u00a0The numbers were good, but not lights out good.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n My 5.1 yards per carry preseason projection was deadly accurate.\u00a0 The skilled position players are elite.\u00a0 Their two RB\u2019s are threats to hit a big play.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n They go three-WR deep, and all will play on Sunday.\u00a0The OL allowed just 13 sacks.\u00a0What I didn\u2019t like is Kelly\u2019s play calling vs. Michigan.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n For THAT game, you needed to pass the ball, not run into the teeth of Michigan\u2019s DL.\u00a0On the defensive side, Jim Knowles is one of the best NCAA coordinators.\u00a0No team scored more than 17 points on Ohio State<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oregon ran 31-155, but that figure was below their seasonal numbers.\u00a0The shocker was Ohio State\u2019s pass defense.\u00a0 It was 58% in \u201922, and 52.2% in \u201923.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n With many returning starters, the same range was expected this season.\u00a0Instead, they allowed 60%.\u00a0I think they will limit splash plays, but based on seasonal performance, not limit pass completions.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n One more note on the offense.\u00a0QB Howard hit 72.3%, with six games above 80%.\u00a0 His worst outing was vs. Michigan (19-33, 175, two interceptions).\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n He\u2019s often maligned, but dangerous if he gets into rhythm with his quality WR\u2019s.\u00a0In four comparable games, he was 84-117, for 892 yards and a 9-4 ratio.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tennessee\u2019s task is to limit splash plays.\u00a0Despite a bad outing vs. Michigan, kicking was 9-12.\u00a0The sack ratio was 35-13.\u00a0The touchback rate was 69%.\u00a0The 3rd<\/sup> down defense is solid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tennessee\u2019s QB must rise to this big stage.\u00a0He did so a year ago (bowl game) vs. defensively solid Iowa.\u00a0 RB Sampson must be force fed, opening up the short and long pass game.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n Containment is the name of the game defensively.\u00a0Is there any shot of putting pressure on QB Howard?\u00a0 Ohio State needs to be really balanced offensively.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n They blew the Michigan game plan, but this opponent requires a different mindset.\u00a0Their pass rush success is important, as Tennessee has as much run-pass balance as does Ohio state.\u00a0There\u2019s a high ceiling for Ohio State, but it hasn\u2019t been reached as much as expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOhio State Football Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tennessee vs Ohio State: Keys To The Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tennessee vs Ohio State Predictions: Tennessee +7.5 \/ Will Howard UNDER 10.5 Rushing Yards \/ Chris Brazzell UNDER 25.5 Receiving Yards<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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