It’s easy to overlook the doubts and pressure surrounding the Ohio State Buckeyes heading into their College Football Playoff matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers.
At the time, they were coming off their fourth straight loss to Michigan, and head coach Ryan Day was on the hot seat.
Many, including some in the media, thought Ohio State could be on the verge of an early exit, even with home-field advantage.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Volunteers – proudly representing the dominant SEC – arrived with plenty of swagger.
Tennessee fans were openly claiming they would take over Ohio Stadium, dubbing it “Neyland North.”
As if to further cement their bravado, Tennessee players even warmed up without their shirts on in the freezing cold conditions.
However, what seemed like a show of confidence quickly turned into the Volunteers’ embarrassing downfall.
Ohio State dominated from the opening whistle, storming to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and finishing with a decisive 42-17 win.
It was the beginning of an unforgettable playoff run, culminating in a national championship victory in the newly expanded 12-team playoff format.
Now, with the NFL Draft on the horizon, Ohio State quarterback Will Howard appeared as the first guest on Jon Gruden’s revamped “QB Class” podcast for Barstool Sports.
When Gruden brought up Tennessee’s infamous shirtless warm-up, Howard couldn’t help but make fun of the Vols’ attempt at showing toughness.
“It’s a cold night in Columbus. And you see these guys come roaring out of here, the SEC, Tennessee Vols without their shirts? And it seemed like they were trying to intimidate you guys,” Gruden said.
“The funny thing is they came out with their shirts off and they ran over to the opposite endzone and immediately put them back on. I was like ‘what the f*ck are these clowns doing, man?’ … At that moment I knew we had them,” Howard confidently stated.
For Ohio State, that confidence proved prophetic.
The Buckeyes were undeterred by Tennessee’s antics and powered through for a dominant victory. And for Howard, who had transferred to Ohio State as a “hired gun,” it was a defining moment that launched him from an outsider to a Buckeye legend.
Howard’s performance during the College Football Playoff turned heads, with many suggesting he will be a steal in the upcoming NFL Draft. (Especially considering how inexplicably low he’s rated.)
Now, as Howard shifts focus toward his professional future, it’s clear that the events in Columbus that chilly night were more than just a playoff victory – they were a statement that would set the tone for the Buckeyes’ remarkable championship run.
What are your thoughts on Howard’s clear shot at Tennessee???
