Tennessee Football had entered the College Football Playoff with high expectations, their fans buzzing with excitement and hopes of a Cinderella story. But as the clock ticked down to the opening kick-off against Ohio State, it quickly became clear that their dream season was on the verge of crumbling into a nightmare.
The volunteers had barely settled into their seats when Ohio State came out like a freight train, overpowering Tennessee in every way imaginable. The Volunteers’ defense, touted as one of the toughest in the country, looked completely unprepared for the onslaught of speed and precision Ohio State brought to the field. Their quarterback, usually calm and collected, was visibly rattled by the aggressive defense of the Buckeyes, tossing a rare interception on the second drive. The Tennessee fans let out a collective groan, while Ohio State’s section of the stadium erupted in roaring approval.
The Volunteers’ offense, which had looked so sharp throughout the regular season, seemed to have lost all sense of rhythm. Each snap felt forced, every play a desperate attempt to regain control. A botched handoff in the backfield led to another turnover, and before Tennessee’s coaching staff could even begin to regroup, Ohio State had already scored two quick touchdowns. The scoreboard told the grim tale: Ohio State 14, Tennessee 0 — and it wasn’t even the second quarter yet.
As the game continued, the online world began to hum with mockery. Fans on social media wasted no time in roasting Tennessee’s embarrassing start. “What happened to the Vols that dominated the SEC?” one user tweeted. “They look like they just realized they’re playing in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.” The memes came fast, with images of confused volunteers running in every direction, while Ohio State players seemed to glide effortlessly across the field.
The Volunteers’ sideline, once filled with confidence, now looked like a collection of broken spirits. Coach Heupel, who had always projected a calm and composed demeanor, was pacing anxiously, his face flushed with frustration. The offensive line was being bullied at the line of scrimmage, leaving their quarterback with little time to make decisions. Their star wide receiver, usually a playmaker, was being blanketed by Ohio State’s secondary, unable to find space for any big gains.
Tennessee’s defense, which had once been praised for its ability to shut down top-tier offenses, appeared shell-shocked. Ohio State’s fast-paced attack, orchestrated by their quarterback, seemed to cut through their defense like a hot knife through butter. Each play felt like a gut punch, with the Volunteers giving up long touchdown drives and failing to get any pressure on Ohio State’s signal-caller.
By halftime, Tennessee found themselves staring down a massive deficit. The scoreline was damning: Ohio State 28, Tennessee 0. The crowd’s earlier enthusiasm had evaporated, replaced by stunned silence from the Vols faithful. Fans in the stands were now frantically checking their phones, trying to find some hope amidst the devastation, but the reality was clear — this was not the same team that had steamrolled its way to the playoffs.
Social media, as expected, was relentless. “Tennessee came to the playoff to get embarrassed,” one tweet read. “This is what happens when you play a real contender.” Even rival fans couldn’t help but join in the fun, taking shots at the Volunteers for their humiliating start. A few diehard Tennessee supporters tried to stay positive, but it was getting harder and harder to find a silver lining.
The Volunteers were still in the game technically, but their hope was waning. They had been outclassed in every phase of the game, and it was unclear if they could recover in the second half. It seemed as though Tennessee’s long-awaited return to the College Football Playoff was doomed to be a one-game fiasco. The scoreboard might have read 28-0, but for Tennessee, it felt like a slow and painful death.
