KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Preparation for No. 7 Tennessee’s first College Football Playoff game is fully underway as the Volunteers get ready for their trip up north to take on No. 6 Ohio State on Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ET.
UT players met with the media on Tuesday for the first time since Sunday’s CFP selection show and voiced their excitement for the opportunity that awaits with their upcoming trip to Columbus.
“It’s amazing. We are in the playoffs. We get another game. Another opportunity, a fun opportunity to go out there and have fun,” senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas said. “Go out there, have fun and play with each other. It’s another opportunity for us. It doesn’t really matter where we play. We are more so ready for the opportunity, and we are blessed to be here, honestly.”
While the matchup pits two of the nation’s top teams against one another, it will also showcase two of the most recognizable brands in all of college football on full display in primetime on ABC/ESPN.
The Vols know they’ll need to be at their best in all phases of the game to meet the challenge that the Buckeyes will present. Sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Telander believes that the team’s confidence is at an all-time high as they prepare for this win or go home matchup inside Ohio Stadium.
“We’re extremely confident,” Telander said. “You earn confidence and confidence comes from preparation. Like you said, we’ve been preparing for this since January and the confidence is out of the roof right now. I just can’t wait to go out there and play with our guys.”
Sophomore LB Jeremiah Telander
On what is impressive about Ohio State and what will Tennessee focus on for the game…
“Yeah, they’re definitely a hard-nosed football team. From their offensive line to the running backs to their tight ends, they’re definitely hard-nosed. They like to run the ball and it’s going to be a great game, a great team that we’re going up against, and I’m just really excited.”
On containing Ohio State quarterback Will Howard…
“Yeah, I just think getting reps with a mobile quarterback, you know? You play a couple of games when the quarterback doesn’t run out of the pocket, you can kind of forget about that, and then you get a real fast guy who can scramble out of there. You just got to remember that and play the defense accordingly.”
On the team’s confidence now that they’re in the playoff…
“We’re extremely confident. You earn confidence and confidence comes from preparation. Like you said, we’ve been preparing for this since January and the confidence is out of the roof right now. I just can’t wait to go out there and play with our guys. It’s going to be so much fun.”
Senior DL Omari Thomas
On his thoughts facing Ohio State in the College Football Playoff…
“It’s amazing. We are in the playoffs. We get another game. Another opportunity, a fun opportunity to go out there and have fun. Showcase that we want to be the best team in the country, the best defense in the country and the best offense in the country. We just want to go out there and do that. Go out there, have fun and play with each other. It’s another opportunity for us. It doesn’t really matter where we play. We are more so ready for the opportunity, and we are blessed to be here, honestly.”
On how critical winning the line of scrimmage is against the Buckeyes…
“It’s very critical that you have to win the line of scrimmage. You have to win your one-on-ones all over the field, on the line of scrimmage and outside on the perimeter. Ohio State is a great team. They have players all over the field, weapons all over the field. They have a good offensive line, good running backs, quarterback and receivers, so they are definitely a stacked team with elite players. We just have to be on our A-game and win our one-on-ones, so that way we can win the battle.”
On how players stay in rhythm over the next few rest weeks of postseason prep…
“I would say our strength and conditioning coaches have done a great job of keeping us still in the same routine, sort of, but taking some off of us. That way when we do get up to this week right here and next week leading up to the game, there’s no real drop off. You still get the same practice periods and same everything. You might have guys that do a little less and get their bodies back right, but it’s still the same amount of periods and the same everything. That way, we still stay in that same routine.”
RS-Junior DB Andre Turrentine
On the feelings of playing his former team…
“I’m just excited. Excited to get back on the field and play one more time with these guys. I’m excited to play that team. I know a lot of guys on that team, so just having that brotherhood and camaraderie from being a freshman there is going to be big in this game and for me personally. It gives you a reason to be excited for this game.”
On the challenge that Ohio State’s receivers present…
“Each of them has their own unique qualities in what makes them special. Just understanding that they like to get the ball to those guys, what situations they like to get the ball to those guys and the special things that those guys do differently is going to be a great focal point of the secondary in how we stop and attack those guys.”
On if he’s had conversations with younger players about the stakes of a big postseason game…
“You do that as a leader. As a leader, I’ve been blessed to be able to lead and have those conversations with guys. You don’t make it a big conversation or create big pressure, but you tell these guys that they just need to be themselves. They just need to do the ordinary things at a high level as coach Heupel likes to say to us. Those guys understand that as well; they’ve shown up big for us throughout the year in being able to grow up fast in moments that they haven’t seen before being new to college and big moments. I believe all of our guys are prepared for the moment.”
