Hold up, it’s about to get real! Ohio State and Tennessee are gearing up to clash in a playoff showdown that could leave one coach packing his bags. That’s definitely not Josh Huepel. The No. 8 Buckeyes (10-2) are about to face No. 9 Tennessee in the cold, biting air of Columbus on December 21st. The stakes? High as hell. Ryan Day’s seat is getting hot after that heartbreaking 13-10 loss to Michigan in Week 14. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes roll into this game with a home-field advantage, a freezing-cold weather that’s gonna mess with the Tennessee boys’ heads, and the so-called best defense and offense in the country. Yeah, we get it, Ohio State. But you know what? Josh Heupel might just have a little secret weapon up his sleeve that’s gonna ruin Ryan Day’s playoff dreams—No, it’s not Nico Iamaleava.

On December 14th, the former All-American & Penn State tight end-turned-analyst Adam Breneman broke the ice, Tennessee’s entire playoff hopes hinge on one key player—Dillon Sampson. “Sampson’s ability to move the chains and control the tempo against Ohio State’s defense is gonna be the absolute key in this game for Tennessee,” No cap, the man’s prediction is always on money. Sampson’s got the ability to control the clock and wear down one of the best defenses in the country. If he does that, Tennessee’s offense can ball out.

It’s not just about running the ball—it’s about setting up everything else. Breneman went on, “In games like these, it’s the small things that matter. Controlling the clock, winning the trenches—that’s what decides who moves on.” And if Sampson can keep the chains moving, Ohio State’s defense will have to adjust. And that’s where the magic happens.

Sampson’s isn’t your typical running back—he’s a force of nature. Standing at 5’11” and weighing around 200 pounds, this dude knows how to slide through the cracks and make defenders look silly and funny. This season, Sampson’s rushed for 1,485 yards and a ridiculous 22 touchdown, making him one of the most overlooked players in the country. But the big question is—can Sampson’s success open up the offense for Tennessee’s young quarterback, Nico Iamaleava? “If Sampson can force Ohio State to bring extra defenders into the box, that’s gonna open up the play-action game for Nico,” Breneman said. And we all know—when you’ve got a QB who’s comfortable and not under pressure, you’ve got a recipe for success. But it’s easier said than done, right?

Can Josh Heupel’s Tennessee beat Ryan day’s Ohio State?

Can they? Low-key funny if they went out and ball out. But that’s seems low-key far-fetched. But is it impossible? Hell nah. Look, we got the secret weapon in Sampson. Let’s talk about the game itself? Cus, Ohio State defense ain’t no JV defense, they are literally No.1 total defense in the country. Suppose they let Sampson roll over them. So what? This ain’t one-man’s sport, unless you are Ashton Jeanty. They can relay on their offense. They got the best offense in the nation. What’s more impressive is, they did all that with Will Howard. Look, make no mistake, Will Howard can come in clutch once in a while. Obviously, the Buckeyes favored in this matchup, no doubt about it. With their home field advantage and their powerhouse defense, they’ve got all the tools to win.

The Buckeyes actual kryptonite is Will Howard. But Tennessee’s not here just to play a part—they’re looking to spoil Ryan Day’s playoff hopes. Breneman hit the nail on the head: “If Tennessee can’t establish the run, it’s gonna be a long day against the best defense in the country.” He’s right. Sampson’s got to control the tempo and keep Ohio State’s defense on its heels. If he does, Josh Heupel and the Tennessee can make it a game—maybe even pull off the upset. That’s very unlikely. It’s all comes down to Nico Iamaleava.

This game comes down to one thing—who controls the clock? If Sampson shows up and does his thing, Tennessee could have the edge. Ohio State’s defense is tough, but if they can’t stop Sampson from doing what he does best, this game’s going to be closer than anyone expects. And if Sampson can set up Nico for big plays in the air, the Buckeyes’ playoff dreams could be… nevermind, Ryan Day’s packing bags.