Ohio State Buckeyes vs Tennessee Volunteers Prediction & Picks - NCAA
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Prediction:
Tennessee ML
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by Travis Pulver in NCAA Picks
With how the regular season ended, the sky has already fallen for many Buckeyes fans. But one thing could ease the pain of a fourth loss to Michigan: a national championship. The first step to winning the title comes Saturday when the Tennessee Volunteers visit the Shoe. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on ABC.
But this team is not your typical Ohio State team. Yes, it is incredibly talented and has a high-powered offense and a dominant defense…but it doesn't feel like the Ohio State teams of years past. The only conference opponent it hung 40+ points on was a positively dreadful Purdue team. You would have thought a Chip Kelly offense with the talent the Buckeyes had would have put 40+ on everyone. When the going got tough, they couldn't pull through—hence the loss to a mediocre Michigan team.
This team played with caution when teams in recent years dared opponents to stop them or get blown out of the water.
Tennessee is not going to be scared of Ohio State's reputation, especially after watching film and seeing that this OSU team is not like the ones that built the Buckeyes' reputation. The Vols will take their own high-powered, up-tempo offense and dare Ohio State to stop them. Will Howard is in for a long day against the Vols front seven.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs Tennessee Volunteers Form
Ohio State Buckeyes and Tennessee Volunteers Latest Matches
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Ohio State Buckeyes - Tennessee Volunteers Key Points
- Tennessee beat Ohio State in the only prior matchup, 20-24, in the 1996 Citrus Bowl.
- Ohio State is 5-14 all-time vs. SEC schools and 2-13 in bowl games.
- Ryan Day is 0-3 vs. SEC teams.
- Tennessee is 4-14 SU and 5-13 ATS as an underdog since 2020.
Our Ohio State Buckeyes vs Tennessee Volunteers Prediction
Tennessee is being overlooked in this game. Yes, Ohio State has talent and looks fantastic on paper, but their Chip Kelly offense does not look like the same one that made Kelly famous at Oregon. With the Buckeyes' offensive line as battered as it is, the Tennessee defense has to be salivating in anticipation. Will Howard is a good quarterback, but he is not the playmaker Ohio State has had behind center in recent years.
If you want to take the cautious route, take Tennessee and the points, but I think the Vols are the better team here.
Our Tennessee vs. Ohio State Prediction: Tennessee ML
Prediction:
Tennessee ML
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