No. 8 Ohio State is set to clash with No. 9 Tennessee in the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff this Saturday. This matchup marks the second meeting between these two storied programs, and it comes at a pivotal moment for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State (10-2) enters this game following a disappointing loss to Michigan in their regular-season finale. The echoes of history loom large, as the last time these teams met was in the 1996 Citrus Bowl, where the Buckeyes fell to the Volunteers 20-14. That game featured two college legends: Peyton Manning and Eddie George. Will history repeat itself, or can Ohio State finally turn the tide against an SEC foe?
Ohio State’s Struggles Against the SEC
The Buckeyes have had a tough time against SEC teams in the postseason, with a record of 5-14 all-time against the conference. When it comes to bowl games, that record becomes even more daunting, dropping to 2-13. Ohio State’s first bowl encounter with an SEC opponent was the 1978 Sugar Bowl, where they faced off against No. 3 Alabama. The game ended in a resounding 35-6 defeat for the Buckeyes, a sign of the challenges that lay ahead.
Throughout the 1990s, Ohio State struggled against SEC teams in bowl games, particularly under head coach John Cooper. In fact, Cooper lost all four of his bowl matchups against top-10 SEC teams during his tenure. This trend is something that Buckeyes fans are eager to see reversed.
Ohio State’s Bowl History Against SEC Teams
To put things into perspective, let’s take a look at Ohio State’s bowl history against SEC opponents. Here are some notable matchups:
DATE | BOWL | RESULT |
Jan. 1, 1990 | Hall of Fame | No. 9 Auburn 31, No. 21 Ohio State 14 |
Jan. 1, 1993 | Citrus | No. 8 Georgia 21, No. 15 Ohio State 14 |
Jan. 2, 1995 | Citrus | No. 6 Alabama 24, No. 13 Ohio State 17 |
Jan. 1, 1996 | Citrus | No. 4 Tennessee 20, No. 4 Ohio State 14 |
As you can see, the Buckeyes have faced some tough competition, and the results have not been in their favor.
Ohio State vs. SEC in the BCS Era
The challenges continued into the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) era, which began in 1998. Ohio State faced seven more SEC opponents in bowl games during this time, starting with back-to-back losses to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl in 2001 and 2002. The 2001 game was particularly significant as it marked John Cooper’s final game as head coach of the Buckeyes.
Jim Tressel took over, but Ohio State’s struggles persisted. The Buckeyes reached the BCS Championship game twice in 2006 and 2007, but both times they suffered crushing defeats. Florida, led by Urban Meyer, handed Ohio State a 41-14 loss in 2006, and the following year, LSU emerged victorious with a 38-24 win.
A glimmer of hope came in 2011 when Ohio State finally broke the curse against SEC opponents with a 31-26 victory over No. 8 Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl. However, that win was later vacated due to NCAA violations, leaving fans yearning for a legitimate triumph.
Ohio State’s Breakthrough Under Urban Meyer
It took a former SEC coach to finally break the SEC curse for Ohio State. Urban Meyer, who took over the program in 2012, led the Buckeyes to their first bowl victory against an SEC opponent on the grandest stage. In the inaugural College Football Playoff, Ohio State faced No. 1 Alabama in the Sugar Bowl semifinal. Behind a stunning 85-yard touchdown run by Ezekiel Elliott, the Buckeyes secured a thrilling 42-35 victory. They went on to win the national championship, defeating Oregon 42-20.
However, the rematch against Alabama in the 2020 season was a different story. In a COVID-19 impacted year, Ryan Day’s Buckeyes faced the Crimson Tide again in the championship game, but this time Alabama dominated, winning 52-20.
Ryan Day’s Challenges Against SEC Schools
As the current head coach, Ryan Day has faced his own challenges against SEC teams. He is 0-2 in bowl games against SEC opponents. In the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinal, No. 1 Georgia edged out No. 4 Ohio State in a thrilling 42-41 shootout. The Bulldogs erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Most recently, Ohio State faced No. 9 Missouri in the Cotton Bowl Classic, where they struggled offensively and lost 14-3. With only 203 total yards in that game, the Buckeyes are eager to turn things around.
Now, as they prepare to face No. 9 Tennessee, the stakes are high. Ohio State enters the matchup as a 7.5-point favorite, and fans are hopeful that this time, they can break the trend against SEC schools in the College Football Playoff. Will the Buckeyes rise to the occasion, or will history repeat itself once more? Only time will tell!