On Saturday night, No. 8 Ohio State will face No. 9 Tennessee in the opening round of the 2024 College Football Playoff. Both teams come into this highly anticipated matchup with 10-2 records, eager to demonstrate their worth in the newly expanded 12-team playoff format.
Both Ohio State and Tennessee boast rich football traditions, having established themselves as dominant forces in the sport over the years. Yet, despite their storied pasts, the two powerhouses have met on the field only once before. The last encounter between Ohio State and Tennessee took place on January 1, 1996, in the Citrus Bowl, held in Orlando, Florida. Both teams had strong regular seasons, accumulating double-digit victories, which earned them spots in the prestigious bowl game.
Though both teams were thrilled to be playing in the Citrus Bowl, neither Ohio State nor Tennessee was satisfied with settling for a spot in this mid-tier bowl game. Both programs were aiming for a higher-profile bowl appearance, ideally in the Fiesta Bowl, where a national championship was on the line. However, both teams had suffered one costly loss each during the regular season, which ultimately dashed their hopes of competing for the national title.
Tennessee, with a 10-1 record, had suffered its only loss to rival Florida earlier in the season. Ohio State, on the other hand, entered the Citrus Bowl with an 11-1 record but had been defeated by their own bitter rival, Michigan, in the final week of the regular season. At the time, Ohio State boasted one of the top players in college football, Heisman-winning running back Eddie George. George had an exceptional season, rushing for 1,826 yards and scoring 23 total touchdowns. Tennessee, meanwhile, featured a young quarterback, Peyton Manning, who was only in his sophomore season but had already shown flashes of greatness. The Volunteers also had standout running back Jay Graham, who set a single-season school record at Tennessee by rushing for 1,438 yards.
Brad Lampley, an offensive guard for the Volunteers, recalled how Tennessee viewed the Citrus Bowl as a golden opportunity to make a statement on the national stage. “We end up in the Citrus Bowl against an Ohio State team that frankly had been ranked second the whole year, so we knew coming into that,” Lampley said. “That was gonna be our chance to really stake a claim on the national scale and prove we were as good as any team in the country.”
The game itself was a competitive affair, though played in difficult conditions. The first half was marked by rainy weather, which made the field slippery and challenging for both offenses. As a result, the two teams struggled to find their rhythm, with each scoring just seven points before halftime.
After the break, the game picked up pace. Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning led a key drive, connecting with receiver Joey Kent on a 47-yard touchdown pass to give the Volunteers a 14-7 lead. Ohio State quickly responded with a touchdown pass of its own, as Buckeyes quarterback Bobby Hoying found Rickey Dudley in the end zone to tie the game at 14.
However, the defining moment of the game came late in the fourth quarter, as Tennessee’s defense stepped up in a major way. The Volunteers’ defense forced Ohio State into committing three turnovers on its final four possessions. This defensive dominance allowed Tennessee to maintain control of the game and keep Ohio State from scoring. Not only did Tennessee’s defense contain Ohio State’s potent offense, but it also limited Heisman-winning running back Eddie George to just 89 yards rushing, his lowest total of the entire season.
With just under two minutes remaining, Tennessee kicker Jeff Hall sealed the victory with two clutch field goals in the fourth quarter. His kicks gave the Volunteers a 20-14 lead, and that was the final score of the game. The win was a major accomplishment for Tennessee, as it demonstrated their ability to compete with the best teams in the country and proved that they were a force to be reckoned with.
After the game, Ohio State head coach John Cooper made headlines with a humorous post-game comment. Cooper, frustrated with the loss, accused Tennessee players of wearing illegal cleats, claiming that their footwear had given them an unfair advantage. While his remarks were likely made out of frustration, they added a bit of lightheartedness to the otherwise hard-fought contest.
The Citrus Bowl was a memorable game for both teams, serving as a showcase for future NFL stars like Manning, George, and Graham. For Tennessee, the victory over Ohio State was a statement win that propelled the program into the national spotlight, and it was a key moment in the development of their future success. Manning, who would go on to become one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, displayed poise and leadership that would become hallmarks of his career.
For Ohio State, the loss was a bitter disappointment, especially considering their high ranking and the Heisman-winning performance from George. However, it also set the stage for the team to regroup and focus on future seasons. Despite the setback, Ohio State would go on to remain one of the top programs in college football.
Since that 1996 Citrus Bowl, both Ohio State and Tennessee have continued to build their legacies as two of the most successful football programs in the nation. The two teams have each won national championships and consistently found themselves in the upper echelons of college football rankings.
Now, nearly three decades later, the two teams will meet once again in a playoff game that holds significant weight. The 2024 College Football Playoff matchup between Ohio State and Tennessee is expected to be a thrilling contest, as both teams look to prove their place in the expanded playoff field and take another step toward a national championship.
This game will carry a sense of nostalgia for fans of both programs, reminding them of the legendary players and moments that have defined their football histories. But it will also be a fresh opportunity for both teams to demonstrate that they are capable of competing for the ultimate prize in college football.
As Ohio State and Tennessee prepare to clash once again, both fanbases can look back on their previous encounter with a sense of pride. The 1996 Citrus Bowl remains an iconic moment in college football history, and it serves as a reminder of the fierce competition, passionate fanbases, and rich traditions that make college football so special.
