As Tennessee prepares for its first-ever College Football Playoff game, the conversation has shifted from matchups and strategies to weather forecasts. The Vols are heading north to Columbus, Ohio, to face the Ohio State Buckeyes under the cold December skies, but how much of a factor will the temperature really be?
For those who think the Vols are strangers to brisk weather, think again. East Tennessee’s climate isn’t exactly predictable—it can be spring-like one week and frigid the next.
The Vols ended their regular season during a chilly 41-degree afternoon in Nashville against Vanderbilt, complete with biting winds. Morning practices throughout the season have helped the team acclimate to cooler conditions, with or without the help of the indoor facility.
Josh Heupel, Tennessee’s head coach, isn’t making excuses.
“We’ll be ready,” Heupel said after the playoff announcement. “A lot of our practices are outdoors, and we’ve played in similar weather already this season. The focus has to stay on what happens between the white lines, not what’s happening with the thermometer.”
The team plans to maximize outdoor practice time leading up to the game, weather permitting, ensuring players are familiar with what they’ll face in Columbus.
Ohio State, of course, thrives in the cold. Their recent rivalry clash against Michigan saw temperatures hover around a frosty 27 degrees. Playing in harsh winter weather is as much a tradition for the Buckeyes as dotting the “i” in Script Ohio.
“This is an incredible opportunity,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said. “Hosting a playoff game in December, at night, in the Horseshoe—there’s nothing quite like it. We’re preparing for everything, including the weather, to make sure we’re ready.”
Both teams are well aware that while the cold might dominate pregame chatter, it’s execution on the field that will ultimately decide the outcome.
Beyond the weather, the storyline to watch is Tennessee’s explosive rushing attack against Ohio State’s top-tier defense. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee’s dynamic tailback and the SEC Player of the Year, will face the stiffest challenge of the season in Ohio State’s front seven.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes’ offense will look to find cracks in Tennessee’s improving defense. With playoff hopes on the line, every yard will feel like a battle.
“Both teams are going to throw everything they’ve got at this game,” Heupel said. “This isn’t just about surviving the cold. It’s about seizing the moment and competing at the highest level.”
As the December 21 showdown approaches, expect the buzz to grow louder. For the Vols, it’s a chance to make history in their first College Football Playoff appearance. For the Buckeyes, it’s an opportunity to defend their home turf and punch their ticket to the next round.
Columbus will be cold, but the stakes couldn’t be hotter. The winner advances to face top-seeded Oregon, and the loser heads home. When the Vols and Buckeyes take the field, it won’t be the weather that defines the game—it’ll be the players and coaches who step up under the bright playoff lights.