COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Tennessee Volunteers' dreams of advancing deep in the College Football Playoff came crashing down on Saturday night with a disappointing 42-17 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes. The defeat marked the end of their season, raising questions about the future of Tennessee's football program and what changes might be necessary to return to playoff contention.
From the get-go, it was clear the Volunteers faced problems. Offensive struggles defined the game, with Tennessee failing to establish any semblance of a passing game against Ohio State's formidable defense. Coach Josh Heupel characterized the outcome as disappointing, acknowledging, "We didn’t play well enough, and we didn’t coach well enough." He noted the challenges faced offensively and defensively throughout the contest.
One glaring issue for the Volunteers was their wide receiver performance. Throughout the season, Tennessee’s receivers had struggled to gain separation and create big plays, and this trend continued against Ohio State. Offensive coordinator Joey Halzle explained, "The entire sum of the entire night is we didn’t stretch them enough," emphasizing the failure to push the Buckeyes’ defense.
The lack of offensive production can also be attributed to injury woes. Key players, including star running back Dylan Sampson, who had been pivotal for Tennessee throughout the season, played limited snaps due to hamstring issues sustained earlier. He only managed two carries for six yards before being sidelined.
Without Sampson, the Vols' running game struggled to find traction. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was forced to scramble more than anticipated and ended the night with only 104 passing yards, as he faced relentless pressure from Ohio State's aggressive defense, which recorded four sacks.
The Buckeyes, who entered the game seeking redemption after a series of disappointing performances, came out strong. They scored quickly and built an imposing lead. Quarterback Will Howard threw two touchdown passes to freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith, establishing dominance early on.
Despite scoring once before halftime, the Vols were unable to convert opportunities consistently. They managed only 256 total yards and faced significant issues with player injuries, as both wide receivers Squirrel White and Dont’e Thornton left the game early on.
Heupel’s assessment was blunt: "Tonight wasn’t one of our best performances this year," he stated, underscoring the team’s need to reflect and rebuild during the offseason.
The coaching staff faces tough questions heading forward, particularly about the wide receiver corps, which is set to lose key players like Bru McCoy and Thornton Jr. Current analysts suggest filling these gaps through the transfer portal is necessary, following departures of four wide receivers earlier this season. Potential recruits are already being scouted, with promising talents like 4-star prospect Travis Smith expected to join the ranks.
For fans and analysts alike, the questions linger: How can Tennessee build on its recent improvements shown under Heupel and find the right talent? Can they replicate the defensive add-ons they made during the previous offseason, which significantly improved their secondary?
The commitment to revitalizing the roster shows promise. Tennessee's young quarterback Iamaleava expressed optimism about the future, stating, "We’ll just look to keep gettingbetter in the offseason. We’ll need to add new options and find players who can step up and help us win games." He noted the need for supporting pieces around him, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the team’s capabilities.
The Vols' fan turnout was impressive, with thousands of Tennessee supporters filling Ohio Stadium, highlighting their passion and dedication. This loyalty will be invaluable as Heupel and his coaching staff focus on recruiting and rebuilding the team during the offseason.
Yet another area needing attention is the overall offensive strategy. There was much pre-season talk about the depth within the wide receiver unit, but this optimism has now proven misplaced. With failures to penetrate opponent defenses effectively, the organization needs to reassess its approach and tackle evident weaknesses head-on.
The Volunteers concluded their 2024 campaign with a 10-3 record, having reached the playoffs for the first time. This shows progress from previous years, but improvements are necessary to keep pace with elite teams. Heupel’s tenure has already transformed much of the program, but the path forward remains steep as they seek to improve their postseason performance.
Looking back on the game, it’s clear this loss will act as both motivation and reflection for Tennessee as they move forward. With the offseason fast approaching, the focus will undoubtedly shift to recruiting skilled players, improving existing talent, and dreading the potential of another rebuilding phase.
