The four biggest disappointments following Tennessee’s defeat by Ohio State at the end of the season

The four biggest disappointments following Tennessee’s defeat by Ohio State at the end of the season

Tennessee’s season-ending loss to Ohio State was a tough pill to swallow for Volunteers fans. After a promising season, the defeat in the Peach Bowl left a sour taste and revealed several areas where Tennessee’s program still has work to do. Here are four of the biggest letdowns from that game:

### 1. **Lack of Defensive Adjustments**
One of the most glaring issues for Tennessee in their loss to Ohio State was their inability to make meaningful defensive adjustments. Despite having weeks to prepare, the Vols struggled to contain Ohio State’s high-powered offense. Quarterback C.J. Stroud had a near-perfect performance, and the Buckeyes were able to move the ball with ease. Tennessee’s defensive line, which had been a strength throughout the season, failed to generate consistent pressure on Stroud, and the secondary looked overwhelmed at times. Ohio State exploited Tennessee’s zone coverage schemes, with Stroud making quick decisions and finding wide-open receivers downfield. The Vols’ inability to tighten up coverage and make timely stops was a significant letdown after showing defensive improvement earlier in the season.

### 2. **Missed Opportunities on Offense**
While Tennessee’s offense, led by quarterback Joe Milton, had its moments, they couldn’t capitalize on key opportunities in the game. The Vols moved the ball well at times but failed to finish drives, especially in the red zone. They had multiple possessions that stalled due to dropped passes, missed blocks, and some inaccurate throws. Milton’s performance was uneven; while he flashed his arm strength, his inability to make consistent, precise throws—especially in critical moments—hampered Tennessee’s offensive output. A high-scoring game was expected, but the Vols’ inability to convert on third downs and finish drives put too much pressure on their defense, which was already struggling to contain Ohio State.

### 3. **Inconsistent Special Teams Play**
Special teams have been a mixed bag for Tennessee all season, and this game was no exception. There were crucial moments where Tennessee failed to execute, such as missed field goals, poor kickoff coverage, and ineffective punt returns. While Ohio State didn’t capitalize on every special teams mistake, Tennessee’s failure to win the field-position battle or make key plays in the return game hurt their chances to establish momentum. Against a team as potent as Ohio State, even small mistakes on special teams can prove to be disastrous, and Tennessee’s inability to execute in these phases of the game contributed to the overall disappointment.

### 4. **Poor Game Management and Coaching Decisions**
Tennessee’s coaching staff had a number of questionable decisions in this game that were hard to ignore. From clock management issues to a lack of aggressive play-calling in critical moments, the coaching staff didn’t seem to have the same level of poise and decisiveness that we’d seen earlier in the season. There were times when Tennessee could have been more aggressive, especially on offense, and taken calculated risks to put more pressure on Ohio State. In contrast, Ohio State’s coaching staff seemed to manage the game with more confidence, making key adjustments that ultimately helped them control the tempo and finish strong. Tennessee’s inability to adjust quickly and the failure to capitalize on opportunities—particularly on third downs and in the red zone—raised questions about the program’s readiness for high-stakes, high-pressure games.

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In the end, Tennessee’s loss to Ohio State was a tough but valuable lesson for a program still on the rise. The game highlighted areas of improvement, particularly in defense, special teams, and coaching, that will be crucial for the Vols moving forward. Despite the setbacks, the loss also provided insight into what Tennessee needs to work on to compete at the highest levels in the coming seasons.