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Josh Heupel on cold weather for College Football Playoff: 'It's going to be football weather'

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•12/17/24•

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Josh Heupel on cold weather for College Football Playoff: 'It's going to be football weather'
Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Josh Heupel isn’t too concerned with the weather as Tennessee travels to Columbus to take on Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Simply put, it’s football weather. This is what it’s all about right? It’s not that it doesn’t get cold in Knoxville either, but this is unprecedented for Ohio State at this time of year.

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Tennessee will take on Ohio State Saturday night with the Buckeyes having never hosted a game this late in the calendar year.

“Yeah, it’s a June day in South Dakota,” Heupel said of the cold weather. “It’s gonna be great football weather, you know, a couple weeks ago we played in, you know, 30 degree weather. We practice in the morning. Still chilly, you know, as cold as it will be around this area, and at the end of the day, you know, you get between the white lines. The weather doesn’t matter, the temperature doesn’t, and we’re ready to go play.”

As of now, it’ll be a high of 29 degrees and a low of 17 on Saturday during the first round of the CFP. Both teams will be ready, at least that’s what they say!

“You know, one of the goals you have is to get into postseason play, you’re in the tournament and now it’s about preparation and getting ready to go play your best football,” Heupel said. “You can see the focus in the guys and at the same time, not making it bigger than it is. Meaning it’s just 11-on-11. We’re playing a great opponent, great venue. It comes down to doing ordinary things.”

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Tennessee finished the season 10-2 and just missed out on the College Football Playoff. In fact, despite a solid season, the Vols might be going under the radar.

It could come down to how Tennessee plays offensively, led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava and running back Dylan Sampson.

“You look at Ohio State defensively, they lead almost every category in the country,” Heupel said. “Offensively, they’ve got elite players on that side of the ball. And they tie it together well with special teams. So a huge challenge for us, but one we’re really excited about.”

Heupel and Tennessee hit the road for a Saturday night tilt at Ohio State Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET to conclude the first round of the College Football Playoff.