Tennessee football is readying for its College Football Playoff clash against Ohio State on Saturday night in Columbus. The loser’s season comes to an end and the winner advances to face Oregon in the Rose Bowl.
Here’s three keys for Tennessee to pull off the upset and win its first ever playoff game.
More From RTI: Tennessee Football Remains Underdogs Against Ohio State
Rush For 150 Yards
There’s a common thread in Ohio State’s two losses this season. Both Oregon (155) and Michigan (172) rushed for over 150 yards in wins over the Buckeyes this season.
No other Ohio State opponent has totaled even 125 yards this season and its seven other Big 10 opponents averaged just 92.1 yards per game. The ability to run the ball against Ohio State has been one of the top keys to beat the Buckeyes. Tennessee needs to be able to enforce its ground game against the Buckeyes.
The good news for Tennessee is that its run game has been its offensive strength all season. The Vols have rushed for over 150 yards in 10 games this season and they totaled 140-plus yards in all 12 games. Tennessee’s rushing yards will be a story to watch against the Buckeyes.
Tennessee’s Pass Rush Controls The Game
This is the second time this season that Tennessee has been a touchdown underdog. The other came against Georgia. There’s another real similarity in perspective entering the matchup.
Georgia had a banged up and struggling offensive line that Tennessee needed to dominate to pull off the upset. Ohio State has a banged up and struggling offensive line. The Vols stymied Georgia’s rushing attack but Tennessee was unable to pressure Carson Beck in Athens.
If the Vols are going to pull the upset in Columbus, Tennessee’s front four has to create havoc rushing the passer. They need to make Will Howard uncomfortable all game and need that to lead to mistakes. With its injuries up front, Ohio State’s been unable to enforce its will on the ground.
The Buckeyes need to pass the ball well to their talented receiver core to beat Tennessee. The best way for Tennessee to slow them down is with a pass rush that is controlling the game.
Create Chunk Plays In The Passing Game
Ohio State has perhaps the best defense that Tennessee has faced this season with Georgia boasting the other best unit. Against the Bulldogs, the Vols moved the ball decently but struggled to create many chunk plays and had only one play of over 15 yards in the passing game.
The conditions are going to make it somewhat challenging to throw the football in this game and Tennessee doesn’t have to hit chunk play after chunk play in this game. But the Vols need to create at least a few big plays through the air.
It’s going to be too difficult for Tennessee to consistently move the ball the length of the field 10 yards at a time. Nico Iamaleava and the Vols’ passing attack has to find a way to connect on some 20-plus yard plays.
