Tennessee Volunteers vs Ohio State Buckeyes

Sampson makes Tennessee’s offense go, and nobody’s been able to slow him down—the tailback went for 178 yards in the regular-season finale against Vanderbilt, racked up 101 yards against Georgia and hit 139 against Alabama. It’s a bad matchup for Ohio State, which was burned buy the run early against Indiana and late against Michigan.

d. Ohio State's defense should not be taken lightly, ranking as the No. 1 scoring defense while also allowing the fewest total yards (241.5). They've only allowed more than two touchdowns three times this year. 

I truly can see how this dub falls in either programs lap. Instead, I'm going for the UNDER set at 47.5-points. The Buckeyes have hit the UNDER in five of their last six while the Volunteers have also cashed the UNDER  in 4 of their last 5 games vs. top 25 scoring defenses.

See my Tennessee vs Ohio State preview for a full analysis.

Sampson is the heart and soul of Tennessee's ground attack, totalling 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns across the regular season. The junior has eclipsed 90-yards in all but one meeting this year and has gone the extra mile by recording 101-yards or more in 10 performances. 

Sampson has faced four ranked teams this season but his stats didn't budge. He hung 101 yards on Georgia, 139 yards on Alabama, 92 yards on Oklahoma and 132 yards on NC State -- while scoring at least one touchdown in each of those meetings, too.

See my Tennessee vs Ohio State preview for a full analysis.

While many will expect Ohio State to bounce back after a shocking home loss to Michigan, Tennessee may expose its roster deficiencies again. The Volunteers boast an excellent defensive line led by James Pearce Jr. and Joshua Josephs, and the Buckeyes have suffered multiple injuries along the offensive line. Expect Tennessee to pressure Will Howard in the pocket all game, and so long as Nico Iamaleava keeps the turnovers in check, the Volunteers are live underdogs in this game.

We know that Peyton Manning will be in Columbus going nutzzz for his Volunteers. And why not. Sure Ohio State is talented and has home field, but Tennessee is averaging over 230 yards a game on the ground and the freshman kid at QB, Nico Iamaleava, brings a rocket right arm to the party.

Nico can also dance, gobbling up 311 yards on the ground this season. He has hit 19 TDs with just five INTs. And don't forget that the Vols BAGELED Iowa, another Big 10 team last year in the Citrus Bowl, 35-0.

Gimme Peyton and the Orange guys.