5 Tennessee players who could pose serious threat to Ryan Day's Ohio State in CFP
Ohio State is a favorite in the team's first-ever home College Football Playoff game against Tennessee. The Buckeyes, fresh off a 10-2 season, are favored by about a touchdown at home over the 10-2 Vols.
But that might be a bit premature. Tennessee, after all, has shown some pretty impressive talent on their roster. Here are five Vols who could help take down Ohio State in the playoff battle.
5 Tennessee players who could lead an upset of Ryan Day's Ohio State
5. James Pearce Jr., DE
An edge-rushing terror, Pearce can create havoc in any backfield. At 6-foot-5, 243 pounds, he's big enough to be imposing and speedy enough to be hard to scheme around. Pearce was all-SEC first team this season and made 35 tackles, with 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Ohio State allowed just 12 sacks all season, which ties for best in the Big Ten. If Pearce can make Will Howard uncomfortable, Tennessee's chances at victory will see an immediate jump.
4. Cooper Mays, C
Fun fact about Ohio State's defense. When Ohio State's defense has one or more sacks, the Buckeyes are 10-0. When the defense does not have a sack, Ohio State is 0-2. It might be pretty clear that keeping Ohio State from sacking QB Nico Iamaleava will be pretty significant, which is part of Mays' job.
Mays was an All-SEC as a center in 2023. He is a veteran of the trench wars at the highest level of college football. Mays is key to Tennessee's hopes in protecting Iamaleava and opening holes for Dylan Sampson.
3. Nico Iamaleava, QB
A redshirt freshman, Iamaleava has been handed the keys to one of college football's most impressive offenses. While he's had his share of ups and downs, he's generally been excellent. Iamaleava has passed for 2,512 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has added another 311 yards on the ground.
Tennessee is 9-0 when Iamaleava throws at least one touchdown and 1-2 when he doesn't. Needless to say, Ohio State will want to keep Iamaleava out of the end zone, while the Vols will look for a big game from Iamaleava.
2. Jermod McCoy, DB
A second-team all-SEC pick, McCoy had 39 tackles and has broken up 13 passes this year, including four interceptions. The sophomore has been a significant part of Tennessee's improvement from allowing 20.3 points per game last year to 13.9 points this year.
Ohio State's high-octane offense has bogged down against excellent defenses. McCoy wants to keep OSU's big-play attack under wraps and Tennessee's chances are best under those conditions.
1. Dylan Sampson, RB
Perhaps the most underrated player in college football, Sampson had a commanding season for the Vols. He led the SEC in rushing with 1,485 yards and an all-time league record of 22 rushing touchdowns. Only twice in all year has Sampson had under 100 rushing yards, and one of those was in the 56-0 blowout win over UTEP, in which Sampson had just 11 carries.
Sampson also scored a touchdown in every game except the regular-season finale against Vanderbilt (in which he rushed for 178 yards). When Ohio State's opponent rushes for 126 or more yards, they're 2-0 against the Buckeyes. Tennessee has a significant hope of reaching that mark with Sampson.
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