For the first time in CFP history, some postseason games won’t be held at neutral sites, and Ohio State earned the privilege of welcoming Tennessee to Columbus. The Buckeyes, the sixth seed in this expanded playoff format, are hoping to make their home-field advantage count after their last experience in Ohio Stadium left a sour taste in their mouths. The infamous incident that followed their clash against Michigan—a game that sparked a flag-planting controversy—has only added extra pressure on the Buckeyes to perform well in front of their own fans.
However, the atmosphere at Ohio Stadium, which holds close to 103,000 spectators, may not feel as “home” as Ohio State would like it to. When the game was first announced, the expectation was that Tennessee’s contingent of fans would be relatively small, given that the Volunteers only received an allotment of 3,500 tickets. With Ohio State’s massive fanbase typically filling up the stadium, it seemed likely that Buckeyes fans would have a clear advantage in numbers.
But a couple of key indicators have shown that this assumption may have been far from the truth.
Ohio State’s athletic director recently urged Buckeyes fans to hold onto their tickets and not sell them to Tennessee supporters on the secondary market. That plea came after reports surfaced that Tennessee fans were eager to flood Columbus in numbers far exceeding the typical visitor contingent. The reason for concern? According to a report from Awful Announcing’s Ben Koo, a staggering 42% of the tickets sold on SeatGeek have been purchased by people residing in Tennessee. That’s a significant portion, especially when you consider that Tennessee’s official ticket allotment is only 3,500.
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Tennessee’s presence isn’t just anecdotal—Ohio State President Ted Carter echoed this growing sentiment during a business leadership forum in Texas, where he predicted that Vols fans could make up as much as 30% of the crowd. This prediction is based on the buzz surrounding the game, with Vols fans eager to witness their team make a statement in the biggest playoff appearance in Tennessee’s history.
While the Buckeyes are still favored to win, currently listed as 7.5-point favorites, the presence of a sizable Tennessee fan base is sure to create a unique atmosphere in what is traditionally a hostile environment for visiting teams. The noise level, the energy, and even the rivalry that could develop between Ohio State and Tennessee fans may play a role in the momentum of the game—whether the Buckeyes are prepared for it or not.
As for the Buckeyes, they’ll need to rely on more than just the size of their crowd to overcome the Volunteers. While their fans may still dominate in numbers, Tennessee’s fiery fanbase is already proving they’ll be more than just a secondary presence in Columbus. And if Ohio State can’t hold up their end of the bargain on the field, they could find themselves battling both the Volunteers and the unexpected strength of the Vols Nation in the stands.
With both teams bringing massive fan support and the stakes higher than ever in the inaugural 12-team CFP, this showdown promises to be much more than just a battle between the #6 and #7 seeds. The atmosphere in Ohio Stadium on Saturday could very well be a game-changer in the making.
