Josh Heupel reacts to Tennessee at Ohio State: 'This is what the playoffs are all about'
Josh Heupel had no complaints about Tennessee getting sent to Ohio State for the first round of the College Football Playoff. The Vols were the No. 9 seed in the 12-team bracket, the highest-seeded team that will go on the road for on-campus games in two weeks.
The Vols are in the dance. And that’s what matters.
“Certainly would’ve loved to have a home game here for our fanbase,” Heupel said during an appearance on ESPN. “But at the end of the day, you’re in the playoff, you’re going to play elite competition during the course of this run.
“We have an opportunity here in Week 1 to go play a great Ohio State team. We know we have to be at our best. Now that we have an opponent, our preparation starts. Great opportunity for us.”
the next opportunity@coachjoshheupel #GBO pic.twitter.com/Fc0gFCKB5M
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) December 8, 2024
Tennessee at Ohio State, Saturday, December 21, 8 p.m. ET
Tennessee (10-2) and Ohio State (10-2) will play the final game of the first round, with kickoff scheduled for Saturday, December 21 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN and ABC. The winner will advance to face No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.
“This is what the playoffs are all about,” Heupel said.
The first round will start on Friday, December 20 with No. 10 Indiana at No. 7 Notre Dame in an 8 p.m. ET start on ABC and ESPN. A triple header on Saturday will begin with No. 11 SMU at No. 6 Penn State in a Noon ET game and will be followed by No. 12 Clemson at No. 5 Texas in a 4 p.m. start on TNT.
Tennessee clinched its spot in the playoff with a 36-23 win at Vanderbilt last week, leaving the Vols waiting on Sunday’s bracket reveal following conference championship games on Friday and Saturday.
Nico Iamaleava’s last two games: 35-49, 466 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT
Redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava passed for 257 yards and a season-high four touchdowns in the win at Vanderbilt. He leads the Vols to Columbus after throwing for 2,512 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games during the regular season.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Bill Belichick
UNC hiring legendary coach
- 2New
Brian Hartline
OSU coach interviews at WVU
- 3
Campbell extension
ISU coach inks deal
- 4
NCAA Tournament
March Madness looking to expand
- 5Trending
Flag planting felony
Ohio politicians get involved
“Young freshman quarterback” Heupel said, “… every game, every rep that you get an opportunity to take, every defensive structure that you see, helps you continue to grow as a quarterback. And really excited about his development throughout the course of the season.
“Certainly playing his best ball at the end of it. Dynamic playmaker that has got great command of what we’re doing.”
Heupel was also asked during the ESPN appearance about the potential weather conditions in Columbus in two weeks. The monthly forecast predicts a high of 38 and a low of 26 on December 21.
“A week ago we played in 30-degree weather,’ Heupel said, referencing the win at Vanderbilt on a cold day in Nashville. “The isn’t the deep South. We get some colder weather.
“We practice in the mornings. We’ll be outside in the course of the preparation and we’ll be ready to handle the elements when we get up to Columbus, Ohio.”
