What Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said about Buckeyes, first-round CFP matchup

COLUMBUS — Ohio State will face Tennessee in the Horseshoe on Dec. 21 in the first round of the College Football Playoff — the first time this sport will play postseason games at home-field, on-campus sites.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel spoke to the media after the bracket was revealed on Sunday, and Lettermen Row has everything Heupel said about the Buckeyes.

Opening statement

“Good afternoon, everybody. Certainly excited about being in the playoff and, obviously, playing a great program that has had a ton of success in recent history, but throughout their their program history. And certainly what they’ve done on the field this year. And we’re excited that we get an opportunity to play an elite program like that. And as we get ready here, understand and know what it’s going to take to go on the road and play really good football against a great football team.”

On Ohio State and its roster…

“The little that I’ve had an opportunity to watch via the the season, a Saturday afternoon you’re watching football or today getting a chance to digest the tape. This is a roster that’s full of elite players and coached extremely well. They’re smart, they’re tough, they’re physical (on) both sides of the line of scrimmage and do a great job on special teams too. So for us, understand the quality of the opponent we’re getting ready to play. We’re going to have to play at our best and need a couple of great weeks of preparation to give ourselves a chance to do that in Columbus.”

On the potential for cold weather…

“Yeah, not sure what the temperature will be up there at night. Know it won’t be sunny and 85. We played in 30 degree weather a week ago. For us, a lot of our practices are in the morning. We’re outside. It’ll be similar temperatures to what you’re going to get up there. Our guys got to be able to handle anything that comes at them. That’s weather, it’s outside distractions. It’s us getting ready to go be our best 11 on 11 between the white lines. And we’ll be ready to handle that and and operate at a high level.”

On the Buckeyes offense…

“We’ll get into the tape today, but you look at them offensively. They got explosive playmakers out on the perimeter. Big, strong, thick, physical offensive linemen. Great skill at the running back position. Again, I think in a game like this, the line of scrimmage matters. You got to do a great job against the run. We’re going to have to defend their explosive playmakers out on the perimeter. And we gotta do a great job of bottling the quarterback up.”

On Tennessee making the College Football Playoff…

“For us, it’s the next step for our program. This is something that our players have worked towards since last January. And again, you earn the right to be in a game like this. Proud of what we’ve done throughout the course of the regular season. The new season starts here and there was an expectation inside of our program to earn the right to to play in a game like this in the postseason. So a lot of excitement here, but also understand that we’re getting ready to go play a great team and we gotta be at our best.”

On his relationship with Ohio State coach Ryan Day…

“I have not had an opportunity to cross paths with him very much. Great respect, for what he’s done in his coaching career, what he’s done there at Ohio State, the success that they’ve had year in and year out. Great appreciation for how he’s done it and what he’s been able to accomplish there.”