Scarlet Sunrise: What Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said about Ohio State

COLUMBUS — Here’s everything Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said about Ohio State and of the Buckeyes game against the Volunteers on Saturday (8 p.m., ABC):

On the Ohio State defense…

“You look at Ohio State defensively, they lead almost every category in the country. 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. 

On playing in the Horseshoe…

“Absolutely. 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. 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.”

On the Ohio State red zone statistics, both offensively and defensively…

“Defensively, within the scope of the structure that they’re playing, they’ve got great discipline. Their eyes are in their eyes are the right spot. They match things out. Their front seven makes it tough to run the football. And then offensively from them, they do a really good job in those situations. Dynamic playmakers out on the outside, so when you load up the box, they got guys that have the opportunity to go win in one-on-ones. And when you don’t, they’re efficient running the football. Running backs are elite. For us, defensively, we’ve got to do a great job. And if you can hold them to field goals, it changes the way the game’s played. Offensively, we’ve got to find a way to get seven down there.”

On his defensive backs facing the Buckeyes wide receivers…

“It’ll be a big, big part of it. Can’t give up a bunch of big explosive plays where they create momentum, field position, ability to score points. So it does start with the line of scrimmage for us, but we got to do a great job of playing disciplined and matching people out, playing with fundamentals and technique, and then going and making plays. There’s going to be one-on-one situations. We got to win the lion’s share of those.”

Buckeyes freshman quarterback Air Noland enters transfer portal

Ohio State freshman quarterback Air Noland worked hard to begin a years-long climb of the Buckeyes depth chart.

But that climb will hit a peak elsewhere.

Noland entered the transfer portal Monday, ending his Ohio State career after less than a year with the Buckeyes program. He will have four years of eligibility elsewhere.

Air Noland was one of the top prospects in the 2024 recruiting class, checking in as the No. 59 overall recruit in the class. He was the No. 5 quarterback in the class.

Noland was the Buckeyes’ lone quarterback signee in the class until former Alabama signee Julian Sayin transferred in after spending just a few weeks with the Crimson Tide.

Counting down

Tennessee at Ohio State: 4 days
Ohio State at Michigan: 348 days

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