Rested and Healthy Vols Ready to Dive Into Playoff Week Against Ohio State
(utsports.com KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following two open weeks to get healthy and prep for its highly-anticipated showdown at No. 6 Ohio State this Saturday night in Columbus, game week has finally arrived for No. 7 Tennessee as it eagerly awaits its trip to Ohio Stadium to face off against one of the nation’s premier teams in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
“Great opportunity this week, playing a big game against a great opponent,” head coach Josh Heupel said to open his Monday press conference. “A lot of work has gone on to get to this point. The guys started back in January, staff and players together. They’ve earned the right to play in a game like this.”
Junior running back Dylan Sampson echoed his head coach’s thoughts when asked about the importance of getting Tennessee to the CFP and playing in such a big game at this point in the season.
“This is everything we worked for in the offseason,” the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year said. “This was what we expected. This is what we grinded for and it doesn’t stop now.”
The Volunteers know a stiff challenge awaits them on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET in Columbus when they square off against a stout Ohio State team that features one of the most talented rosters in college football.
“You look at Ohio State, and defensively they lead almost every category in the country,” Heupel said. “Offensively, they have elite players on that side of the ball. They tie it together well with special teams. So, it is a huge challenge for us, but one we are really excited about. Preparation has been good. We have to continue that this week and get ready to go play our best football when we get up to Columbus.”
As Tennessee continues its reemergence as a college football power under Heupel, taking each step forward as a program has been a major focus throughout his tenure, and now, the opportunity to take the next big step is right in front of the Vols as they prepare for their first ever playoff game this weekend.
“It happens because of your staff and your players all buying in to a vision, competing towards that every single day,” Heupel said. “We’ve continued to take steps. Really proud of everybody that’s involved in that, but this is the next step that we had to take as a program.
“It’s a great opportunity, but now it’s about, ‘what are you going to do with the opportunity?’ It starts long before you get to kickoff. It’s preparation and practice the right way to give yourself a chance to go play elite football.”
