Tennessee football faced significant difficulties in moving the ball throughout their matchup with Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ defense appeared to anticipate everything the Vols were attempting, and it quickly became clear that Ohio State had a strong understanding of Tennessee’s offensive strategy. This proved to be a decisive factor in the Vols’ 42-17 loss in the College Football Playoff’s first round.

Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom shed light on this during an appearance on *The Bobby Carpenter Show*. He confirmed that the Buckeyes’ defensive preparations gave them a distinct advantage over Tennessee, noting that they had a good sense of what the Vols would do next. Ransom explained that the team’s defensive success was largely due to their preparation and how well they had studied Tennessee’s tendencies.

“We had three weeks to prepare,” Ransom said, praising the coaching staff for their work. He credited their ability to play fast and react quickly to the game situation, saying that seeing the same looks repeatedly over the course of three weeks allowed the defense to anticipate the Vols’ actions. According to Ransom, Ohio State’s coaches and scouts had done an excellent job of analyzing Tennessee’s offensive patterns and predicting what they would try on the field.

Throughout the game, it became increasingly evident that Ohio State was often one step ahead of Tennessee. The Vols’ offense seemed to follow a predictable pattern, and the Buckeyes were able to shut down many of their plays. The consistent defensive preparation was crucial in making this happen, as the Buckeyes had anticipated the Vols’ moves well in advance.

One moment in particular stood out in the third quarter when Tennessee ran a speed option. Ohio State was quick to respond, demonstrating their prior knowledge of what was coming. Ransom explained that the team had learned Tennessee’s tendency to switch to the speed option play based on specific defensive looks. This allowed the Buckeyes to be ready for the play when it occurred.

“If we showed a certain look, we had an idea that they were going to check to speed option,” Ransom recalled. He noted that the team was able to predict exactly how the play would unfold, depending on whether it was run to the field or the boundary. This precise knowledge allowed Ohio State’s defense to stop the play in its tracks, further highlighting the depth of their preparation.

The game served as a painful reminder that for the second time in three years, Tennessee’s offense had been figured out by an opposing defense. The first instance, a loss to South Carolina in 2022, was marked by aggressive strategy from the Gamecocks. This time, however, the fault lay more with Tennessee’s coaching staff for failing to adapt their offensive schemes, making it easier for Ohio State to anticipate their moves.

Looking ahead, Tennessee will need to focus on improving its self-scouting during the offseason. As head coach Josh Heupel’s offense continues to gain popularity across high school and college programs, the Vols will have to innovate and refine their playcalling to stay ahead of defensive adjustments. With changes expected on the roster next year, including the departure of key players and the arrival of new ones, the team will have to rebuild its offensive identity if they hope to remain competitive at the highest level.