Facing a former team often stirs up a unique mix of emotions, and the upcoming College Football Playoff clash between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Tennessee is no exception. One player, in particular, finds himself at the center of this narrative—Andre Turrentine. Unfortunately for Ohio State, Turrentine, a former Buckeye turned Tennessee Volunteer, has some pointed opinions about his old team and their home-field advantage.
The game, scheduled for December 21, will take place at Ohio Stadium, commonly known as “The Shoe.” Despite Ohio State earning the higher seed and the chance to host, their iconic homefield has faced criticism—specifically from Turrentine, who believes it doesn’t compare to the noise levels of SEC stadiums. In a recent Instagram post shared by CBS Sports, Turrentine reflected on the atmosphere at The Shoe versus the SEC. “The Shoe isn’t as loud as the SEC,” he said. “It’s a different animal here… it’s deafening.”
Turrentine’s return to Columbus is significant, as he spent part of his collegiate career with the Buckeyes. Originally a four-star recruit from Nashville’s Ensworth High School, he signed with Ohio State in 2020 and played four games during the 2021 season before transferring to Tennessee in 2022. This season with the Volunteers, Turrentine has made an impact on defense, recording 35 total tackles, an interception, and three passes defended.
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While he acknowledged the passion of Ohio State fans, Turrentine doubled down on his assertion that SEC stadiums are louder. “I wouldn’t say The Shoe is the same way,” he said. “They have really die-hard fans prepared to make enough noise when they need to. I would say that the SEC is a little bit louder, but The Shoe brings it as well.” Despite his comments, Turrentine and the Volunteers should not underestimate Ohio State’s home-field advantage. The Shoe boasts an impressive reputation for its home win record, which could play a critical role in the upcoming playoff matchup.
Ohio State has been dominant at home under Ryan Day’s leadership. Entering the game, both Ohio State and Tennessee hold identical 10-2 records. Ohio State went 7-2 in Big Ten play, while Tennessee finished 6-2 in the SEC. However, the Buckeyes are seven-point favorites, bolstered by their historic home performance. According to TruMedia, Ohio State has the best home winning percentage (.914) in the FBS since 2005. Over the last seven seasons, they have only lost three times at Ohio Stadium—twice to Michigan and once to Oregon.
Ryan Day expressed his confidence in the Buckeyes’ ability to capitalize on their home advantage. “We’re fired up to be at home,” he said. “It’s gonna be a great atmosphere, and our guys are fired up to go finish the season with a win in Ohio Stadium.” Ohio State fans have already demonstrated their ability to energize their team, as seen in their home victory over Indiana earlier in the season.
The stakes are high, as the winner of this game will advance to the quarterfinals on January 1, where they will face Oregon at the Rose Bowl. Both teams are eager to make their mark, but Ohio State’s fortress-like record at The Shoe may give them the edge they need to secure a crucial victory.