Volunteers Safety Returns Home: The Epic Rematch Between Familiar Faces

No. 9 seed Tennessee will make its first visit to No. 8 Ohio State on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN), but Volunteers safety Andre Turrentine will be in a familiar setting at Ohio Stadium for the first-round matchup of the College Football Playoff. The Volunteers’ trip to Columbus marks only the second meeting all-time between these two storied programs, with the first occurring in August 1998. The Volunteers fell to the Buckeyes on that day, losing by a resounding score of 38-13.

Andre Turrentine, however, knows the Ohio State environment all too well, having transferred to Tennessee after spending two years at Ohio State. This familiarity with the Buckeyes may bode well for the Volunteers as they look to secure a critical victory in the College Football Playoff. With Turrentine now on their side, Tennessee might finally have the edge it needs to claim victory over Ohio State.

Turrentine wasn't extensively involved on defense for the Buckeyes during his two years at Ohio State. Nonetheless, during that period, he remained keenly aware of the ins and outs of Ohio Stadium and the practices and strategies the Buckeyes employed during that period.

Ohio State, known for their spirited fans and well-designed games strategy, poses an enigmatic challenge for even the most experienced teams, including the Volunteers. But, this game might not be like previous encounters considering the possible inside information Turrentine possesses due to his previous experience with the Buckeyes. Therefore, Turrentine could hold the key in beating the formidable Buckeyes in the much anticipated College Football Playoff.

This matchup presents numerous tests for the Volunteers. Historically, teams that started their seasons with loss eventually proved strong through steady growth and became viable for the College Football Playoff championship title. There is ample precedent to indicate the challenges they will face in this final push toward postseason victory.

Andre Turrentine may be a secret ace, leading to Tennessee to reach the championship title if the Volunteers don’t cave under pressure. A victory over Ohio State and the remainder of the Playoff stages would help ensure this to be the best season in years, thus placing a solid cap to 23rd-year head coach Josh Heupel’s team in the recent history of football.