The Buckeyes Are in Trouble: Why Ohio State's Playoff Dreams Are About to Be Shattered

The highly anticipated College Football Playoff matchup between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Tennessee Volunteers is just a day away, and football fans are on the edge of their seats in anticipation.

The Buckeyes, who finished the regular season with an impressive 11-1 record, are looking to make a deep run in the playoffs and bring home their second national championship in five years. However, standing in their way are the Volunteers, who are riding a nine-game winning streak and boasted the nation's top-ranked offense during the regular season.

So, who will emerge victorious in this blockbuster showdown? Let's dive into the details and examine the key factors that will ultimately decide the outcome.

Game Details

The game is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM ET on Saturday and will be televised nationally on ESPN. Fans can also catch the action on the WatchESPN app, the ESPN website, or on the SiriusXM College Football channel.

Odds and Spread

According to the latest odds from Las Vegas, the Buckeyes are currently listed as 4.5-point favorites over the Volunteers. The over/under for the game is set at 64 points, indicating a high-scoring affair.

However, the Volunteers have consistently proven themselves as one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and they are more than capable of keeping up with the Buckeyes' potent attack.

Keys to Victory

For the Buckeyes to emerge victorious, they will need to find a way to contain the Volunteers' high-powered offense. This will likely involve a combination of press coverage and blitz packages to put pressure on Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes will look to exploit Tennessee's vulnerable defense, which ranked 51st nationally in total yards allowed per game during the regular season. Look for Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord to target his top targets in the passing game and try to exploit the Volunteers' suspect secondary.

Meanwhile, the Volunteers will likely focus on establishing their ground game and using play-action passes to stretch the Buckeyes' defense. Iamaleava will be tasked with making quick decisions and finding open receivers in Oklahoma State's zone coverage.

Prediction and Pick

Based on the current trends and statistical analysis, it appears that the Volunteers are due for a big upset on Saturday. Tennessee's offense has been nearly unstoppable this season, and it is hard to envision the Buckeyes being able to shut them down completely.

With that being said, the Buckeyes' offense has also been clicking on all cylinders, and they have the talent and firepower to keep up with the Volunteers in a shootout.

Ultimately, the difference in this game will come down to which team can make the most crucial stops on defense. If the Volunteers can find a way to slow down McCord and company, they will likely emerge victorious. However, if the Buckeyes can contain Iamaleava and limit the big plays, they will be in the driver's seat for a return trip to the national championship.

Score Prediction

Ohio State Buckeyes 38, Tennessee Volunteers 35