The Ohio State Buckeyes’ journey through the College Football Playoff (CFP) is fraught with challenges, not least of which is the looming threat of Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee’s star quarterback. With OSU dropping a critical game to Michigan and missing the Big Ten Championship, they now find themselves in the precarious position of needing to beat the Vols in the first round. If Nico plays at his best, he could very well outshine Ryan Day’s team and dash their hopes of a title.
Nico Iamaleava has had his share of inconsistencies this season, but when he’s on, he’s one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in college football. With over 2,500 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, he has the potential to dismantle any defense, including Ohio State’s. While he has shown vulnerabilities—particularly in losses to Arkansas and Alabama—his recent performances have been solid, and if he can clean up his turnover issues, he’s a major threat to OSU. His performance against teams like Vandy and UTEP shows just how dangerous he can be when fully dialed in.
On the flip side, Ryan Day’s team has been plagued by confidence issues, especially after their loss to Michigan. The Buckeyes’ defense, which has been shaky at times, allowed 172 rushing yards to Michigan despite being heralded as one of the better units in the country. In that game, Day seemed overwhelmed by the pressure, which may have contributed to their defeat. Nick Saban even pointed out that Ohio State played “free and easy” against lesser opponents like Indiana, but they seemed tense and tight against Michigan, a sign that Day may have struggled under the weight of the situation. If that mindset carries into the playoff game, the Vols could capitalize on Ohio State’s uncertainty.
Tennessee’s defense has also been formidable, giving up an average of just 15 points per game. Their ability to shut down explosive offenses like Alabama’s is no small feat, and Ohio State will likely struggle against this unit, especially if Day’s offense isn’t firing on all cylinders.
In this high-stakes matchup, much of Ohio State’s hopes rest on Ryan Day’s ability to regain his confidence. If Day can rally his team and avoid the mistakes that plagued them against Michigan, they could still have a shot. However, if Nico Iamaleava plays at a high level and the Vols’ defense continues to dominate, OSU could be in for a tough loss.
The question remains: Can Ryan Day overcome his mental hurdles and coach the Buckeyes to victory, or will Nico and Tennessee prove too much for him to handle in the postseason? The pressure is on.