6 hours Ago By Andrew Hughes
Tennessee did not meet the moment during the Volunteers’ first-round College Football Playoff matchup against Ohio State. At no point was Tennessee competitive against the Buckeyes in the 42-17 blowout at Ohio Stadium . CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah believed the Volunteers looked like a fringe CFP team at best, largely looking unworthy of being on the same field as Ohio State.
“The Vols had arguably the worst performance out of any team in the CFP, but it's not fully their fault. Tennessee had to play against a powerhouse Ohio State team, perhaps the best overall roster in the country. The Buckeyes were mad as hell after losing the finale against Michigan and finally rounded into form.
Unfortunately, Tennessee looked far more like a bubble squad than the national contender it hoped to be. In fact, the Vols don't look anywhere close,” Jeyarajah wrote. QB Nico Iamaleava was largely ineffective against the Buckeyes’ defense, throwing 17 incomplete passes to 14 completions.
The true story of the game, though, was Tennessee’s inability to convert on third down (6/16). That’s what crushed the Rocky Top faithful who made the trip north more than anything. Those disappointed fans came in droves from the Smoky Mountains .
The Volunteers’ half-time momentum was stalled out on a two-and-a-half minute drive to begin the second half and let Ohio State run away with it – giving up three touchdowns on the Buckeyes’ first three drives. Tennessee only figures to improve as Iamaleava ages, but their defense was a massive disappointment. Under Tim Banks, that has been a strength.
The Volunteers have a top-10 recruiting class coming in 2025, but their NIL spending was less than Virginia’s in 2024 and just ahead of Auburn and Arkansas’s . Spending that little will keep Tennessee overmatched and looking like bubble teams moving forward..
