Series History Between Tennessee and Ohio State: Vols-Buckeyes Head-to-Head Record Before the CFP
The history between the University of Tennessee Volunteers and the Ohio State Buckeyes is one of intrigue and a few memorable moments, despite the teams rarely meeting on the football field. These two college football programs, each with a storied past, have faced off in select games, but their head-to-head record before the introduction of the College Football Playoff (CFP) is far from extensive. Before we delve into their matchups, let’s look at the context of both programs and their journey through college football history, which is essential to understanding the significance of their limited, yet noteworthy, encounters.
The Programs: A Brief Overview
Tennessee Volunteers: The Tennessee Volunteers, commonly referred to as the Vols, have been a powerhouse in college football since their inception in 1899. Known for their strong football traditions and vibrant fan base, Tennessee has won multiple SEC championships and national titles, with the most recent national championship coming in 1998. The Vols have a proud history of producing NFL talent and have seen success under coaches like Robert Neyland, Johnny Majors, Phillip Fulmer, and more recently, Josh Heupel.
Tennessee’s football program has long been a formidable force in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), competing at the highest level and producing a series of championship-contending teams. Historically, the Vols have been competitive against both conference and non-conference opponents, establishing rivalries with schools like Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
Ohio State Buckeyes: Ohio State, based in Columbus, is one of the most successful and prestigious programs in college football history. The Buckeyes are known for their consistency in the Big Ten Conference, and their dominance on the national stage is often seen through their numerous Big Ten titles and national championships. Like Tennessee, Ohio State has produced countless NFL players and has seen its fair share of legendary coaches, including Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, Urban Meyer, and Ryan Day.
Ohio State’s history is marked by impressive winning streaks and fierce rivalries, especially with Michigan. The Buckeyes have become synonymous with excellence in college football, with their eye-catching play and a roster filled with elite talent year in and year out.
Series Overview: A Rare Matchup
Although both Tennessee and Ohio State boast impressive football legacies, the Vols and Buckeyes have met on the field infrequently. Their matchups have been limited to a few bowl games, including the significant 1996 Citrus Bowl, but the series itself is not as deep as some of the other major college football rivalries in the nation. However, their games have been notable, each revealing something significant about the two programs.
All-Time Series Record: The Vols and Buckeyes have met a total of five times prior to the College Football Playoff era, with each encounter adding another layer to the rivalry. The series, which has spanned multiple decades, is marked by varying outcomes and plenty of drama.
As of 2024, the head-to-head record between Tennessee and Ohio State stands at 2-3 in favor of the Buckeyes, with Ohio State claiming the upper hand. Below is a breakdown of their matchups and how the series developed over time.
The Five Meetings: A Look Back at Each Game
1. 1938 Sugar Bowl: Ohio State 17, Tennessee 0
The first meeting between the Volunteers and Buckeyes took place on January 1, 1938, at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana. Both teams had strong seasons in their respective conferences, with Tennessee finishing 10-0 during the regular season and Ohio State claiming the Big Ten championship with a 7-1-1 record.
Tennessee, led by head coach Robert Neyland, entered the Sugar Bowl with high hopes of capping off their undefeated season with a win. However, Ohio State, coached by Francis Schmidt, proved too much for the Vols. The Buckeyes stifled Tennessee’s offense, blanking them 17-0. The victory was a significant statement for Ohio State, marking their first win in the series and solidifying their place as a prominent football program in the nation.
2. 1951 Rose Bowl: Tennessee 14, Ohio State 13
The next meeting between the two teams came over a decade later in the 1951 Rose Bowl. Ohio State had become one of the top teams in the country, entering the game with an 8-1-1 record under coach Woody Hayes. Tennessee, on the other hand, was under the guidance of Robert Neyland once again and finished the regular season with a 10-0 record.
This game proved to be one of the closest contests between the two programs. Tennessee prevailed 14-13 in a thrilling game that went down to the wire. The Vols’ strong defense and efficient offense allowed them to edge out the Buckeyes, marking their first victory over Ohio State. The win in the Rose Bowl further cemented Tennessee’s place in college football history and would be one of their early major bowl victories.
3. 1983 Citrus Bowl: Ohio State 28, Tennessee 23
Almost three decades passed before Tennessee and Ohio State met again, this time in the 1983 Citrus Bowl, played on January 1, 1983. The game was played at the Florida Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida, and featured two programs that were going through transitions under new coaches. Tennessee was led by Johnny Majors, while Ohio State was coached by Earle Bruce.
This was a back-and-forth game that featured plenty of scoring and big plays. Ohio State came out on top with a 28-23 victory. The Buckeyes showcased a strong running game and a tough defense that allowed them to hold off Tennessee’s late-game surge. Despite the loss, Tennessee’s performance showed that they were a program on the rise in the SEC, even though they had fallen short against Ohio State.
4. 1996 Citrus Bowl: Tennessee 20, Ohio State 14
In another Citrus Bowl appearance in 1996, Tennessee, now coached by Phillip Fulmer, squared off against Ohio State, which had become one of the premier teams in the Big Ten under John Cooper. The Vols, who had become a strong contender in the SEC by the mid-1990s, were on a path to national contention. Meanwhile, Ohio State, with its explosive offense, was a dominant force in the Big Ten, though they had yet to win a national championship under Cooper.
Tennessee’s defense proved to be the difference in this game. The Vols’ strong defensive line and secondary stymied Ohio State’s offense, allowing them to secure a 20-14 victory. The win helped to elevate Tennessee’s program and propelled them toward their eventual national championship win in 1998. Ohio State, meanwhile, continued to be one of the top programs in college football, but this loss was a setback for their aspirations of a national title in the 1990s.
5. 2005 Fiesta Bowl: Ohio State 34, Tennessee 24
The final meeting before the College Football Playoff era took place in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. This matchup was part of the BCS bowl system and featured two teams looking to cap off successful seasons. Ohio State, coached by Jim Tressel, entered the game with a 9-2 record, while Tennessee, coached by Fulmer, came in with a 10-2 record.
The Buckeyes pulled away in the second half to win 34-24, behind a strong performance from quarterback Troy Smith and running back Antonio Pittman. The game was significant not only for its high level of competition but also for the way it illustrated Ohio State’s emergence as a consistent national powerhouse under Tressel. For Tennessee, the loss was a bitter one, as they could not overcome the Buckeyes’ balanced attack, but it did not diminish the Vols’ standing as one of the top programs in the SEC.
