Tennessee
College Football Playoff by the numbers: Tennessee vs. Ohio State
College Football Playoff
First Round
No. 9 Tennessee (10-2) vs. No. 8 Ohio State (10-2)
7 p.m. CST Saturday (ABC, ESPN)
Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
0 Previous games have been played in Ohio by Tennessee. The Volunteers have played football in 25 other states. Saturday’s game will be the first played at Ohio Stadium in December.
1 Previous game between Ohio State and Tennessee. On Jan. 1, 1996, the Volunteers defeated the Buckeyes 20-14 in the Citrus Bowl. The teams were tied for fourth in The Associated Press Poll entering the game.
2 Ohio State players have more than 750 rushing yards – RB Quinshon Judkins, who has 805 yards and eight TDs on 147 rushing attempts, and RB TreVeyon Henderson, who has 751 yards and six TDs on 108 rushing attempts. Seven other teams in the nation have two players with 750 rushing yards in 2024.
2 Tennessee players have been the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, including RB Dylan Sampson in 2024. The other SEC Offensive Player of the Year for the Volunteers was QB Hendon Hooker in 2022. Tennessee had six offensive players earn the SEC Player of the Year Award before the league split its individual honors in 2002 – HB Beattie Feathers in 1933, HB George Cafego in 1938, WB Bo Fox in 1939, TB Johnny Majors in 1955 and 1956, QB Heath Shuler in 1993 and QB Peyton Manning in 1997.
2 Ohio State players earned consensus All-American recognition for the 2024 season – C Seth McLaughlin and S Caleb Downs. McLaughlin is injured and will not play against Tennessee. Last season, Downs made nine tackles for Alabama in the Crimson Tide’s 34-20 victory over Tennessee on Oct. 21, 2023.
5 Victories, 14 losses and one tie for Ohio State against SEC opponents. The Buckeyes’ most recent game against an SEC opponent is a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29, 2023. Ohio State has a 2-13 record against SEC opponents in postseason games. The Buckeyes have a 26-29 overall bowl record.
6 First downs on 21 fourth-down attempts for Tennessee’s opponents in 2024, a 28.6 percent rate of success that is the lowest in the nation entering the bowl season. Ohio State has converted the most fourth downs in the Big Ten this season at 18-of-26 when going for it – a conversion rate of 69.2 percent.
10 Of 29 red-zone possessions for Ohio State’s opponents have ended with TDs, a 34.5 percent TD rate that is the lowest in the nation. Tennessee has scored touchdowns on 37 of its 60 red-zone possessions.
11 Days until the next game for the winner of Saturday’s contest. The Tennessee-Ohio State winner will face No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1 in a CFP quarterfinal game.
12 Victories and five losses for Tennessee against Big Ten opponents in bowls. The Volunteers have one game against a Big Ten opponent that didn’t come in a bowl – a 23-22 victory over Iowa in the Kick-off Classic on Aug. 30, 1987, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tennessee’s most recent game against a Big Ten opponent is a 35-0 victory over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024. Overall, Tennessee has a 31-25 record in bowl play.
14 TDs have been scored against Ohio State in 2024, the fewest in the nation. The Buckeyes also have yielded the fewest points at 131 and have the best scoring defense in the nation at 10.9 points per game. Tennessee ranks eighth in the nation in scoring with an average output of 37.3 points per game.
14 Consecutive non-SEC opponents have been beaten by Tennessee since the Volunteers lost to Purdue 48-45 in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30, 2021. The streak is the longest for Tennessee since it ran off 27 consecutive victories over non-SEC opponents between a 36-13 loss to Texas in Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 1969, and a 28-19 loss to Texas Tech in the Gators Bowl on Dec. 29, 1973.
21 Years since the previous time a Tennessee QB started in 10 victories in one season. Nico Iamaleava is the first freshman QB to start 10 victories in a season at Tennessee, and the first in any class to do so since Casey Clausen in 2003.
25.9 Yards per reception for Tennessee WR Dont’e Thornton Jr. in 2024, the best average in the nation entering the bowl season for any player with at least 25 receptions. Thornton has 25 receptions for 647 yards and six TDs. Thornton has six receptions that have gained at least 50 yards apiece, the most in the nation.
36 Years since an SEC team played at Ohio State. On Sept 24, 1988, the Buckeyes beat visiting Ohio State 36-33. Two other SEC teams have played at Ohio State. The Buckeyes beat Vanderbilt 20-0 on Oct. 14, 1933, and Kentucky 19-6 on Oct. 5, 1935.
42 Penalties have been marked off against Ohio State’s opponents this season, the fewest in the nation. Tennessee has been penalized 99 times, the most in the SEC in 2024.
57 Receptions for 934 yards and 10 TDs for Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith, who broke freshman school records in all three categories set by Cris Carter in 1984.
424 Punt-return yards for Tennessee, the most in the nation entering the bowl season. The Volunteers have averaged 15.7 yards on 27 punt returns in 2024. Eight punts have been returned against Ohio State for 45 yards this season.
1,485 Rushing yards and 22 rushing TDs for Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson in 2024, both single-season school records. Sampson also set a school single-season record with 136 points.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE SEC, GO TO OUR SEC PAGE
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
Tennessee goes wild for In-N-Out’s burgers east of the Mississippi
Animal‑style arrives in Tennessee, In‑N‑Out’s first locations east of the Mississippi River.
In-N-Out Burger will soon be opening its fifth Tennessee store.
The beloved burger chain lists six locations as “opening soon” on the Grand Openings page of its website, including a restaurant in Madison. The Madison location will open at 1900 Gallatin Pike North, about 13 miles northeast of Nashville.
The store also plans to open stores in Arizona, Utah, Idaho and two in California, USA TODAY reported.
Find your next meal on DoorDash
In-N-Out, which announced plans for a major expansion and a new headquarters in Tennessee in 2023, opened its first Tennessee restaurants in December 2025.
The chain, known for animal-style fries and double-double burgers, opened locations in Nashville’s Antioch neighborhood, Murfreesboro and Lebanon in early December. It then opened a fourth Tennessee restaurant in Franklin just a few months later.
Here’s what else to know about the West Coast-based company’s expansion into the Volunteer State.
Why is In-N-Out expanding to Tennessee?
In-N-Out is moving to Tennessee to establish a $125 million corporate hub in Franklin, on the Berry Farms site near Interstate 65. It’s estimated that In-N-Out’s expansion into Tennessee will create 275 jobs and a $125 million investment in the state.
Lynsi Snyder confirms relocation to Tennessee
In 2025, billionaire heiress Lynsi Snyder announced she would relocate her family to the Volunteer State as the company expands eastward.
In a podcast appearance with conservative host Allie Beth Stuckey, Snyder cited frustrations with California’s high costs and regulatory burdens on businesses and families.
“There’s a lot of great things about California, but raising a family is not easy here. Doing business is not easy here,” Snyder said. “The bulk of our stores are still going to be here in California, but it will be wonderful having an office out there, growing out there.”
After facing criticism for her comments, Snyder clarified that moving to Tennessee offers In-N-Out associates “wonderful opportunities” to buy homes, raise families, and participate in the company’s growth in a new region.
In a video posted to social media, she called the move “a very healthy plan for our growth,” highlighting opportunities for employees in Tennessee and potentially neighboring states.
How many In-N-Out stores are coming to Tennessee?
During a Nashville Business Journal event in 2025, Snyder said that the company is eyeing 35 locations across Tennessee in the coming years.
How many stores does In-N-Out currently operate in Tennessee?
As of July 2026, In-N-Out operates the following stores in Tennessee:
- Antioch: 4242 Century Farms Terrace
- Franklin: 1951 Double Double Drive
- Lebanon: 915 South Hartmann Drive
- Murfreesboro: 2508 Medical Center Parkway
- Madison: 1900 Gallatin Pike North (Opening soon)
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.
Tennessee
A Tennessee woman was heard screaming, ‘he’s got a gun.’ Now her husband is pleading guilty to her murder.
BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (WSMV) – A 72-year-old man in Pickett County entered a guilty plea to the second-degree murder of his wife Theresa Marie Foutch.
Johnny Ray Foutch was sentenced to 20 years in custody of the Department of Corrections at 100% day for day, said District Attorney Bryant C. Dunaway.
Theresa’s adult sons were consulted about the plea and were supportive of the sentence.
Dunaway said that the incident in question took place on July 13, 2025, at their home in Byrdstown. The Pickett County Sheriff’s Office paid a visit to their home after Johnny’s daughter requested that officers check on the married couple.
When Chief Deputy Steve Wilbur arrived at the home and approached the front of the house, he says he overheard a man and a woman arguing inside.
He said he then heard the female voice yell, “He’s got a gun.” That’s when he says he heard a gunshot.
The deputy took cover outside the home. Moments later, Johnny walked out the front door holding a Sig Sauer handgun.
Wilbur secured Johnny and went into the home, where he found Theresa lying face down in the living room. She appeared to have been shot in the back.
Officers searched the home and said they found a shell casing on the floor of the dining room, just 10 to 15 feet away from Theresa’s body.
Dunaway said that a forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy determined that Theresa’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to her back. The manner of her death, the pathologist said, was homicide.
Copyright 2026 WSMV. All rights reserved.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The State of Tennessee’s annual sales tax holiday is set to begin at the end of July in 2026.
The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 31 and runs through Sunday, August 2 at 11:59 p.m.
Certain goods may be purchased tax-free during this weekend event.
“Certain restrictions apply. Items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use, not for business or trade,” the Tennessee Department of Revenue said.
Previously, the state has listed the following items that are and are not tax-free:
Clothing
- Tax-Free: General apparel that costs less than $100 per item. Things like shirts, pants, socks, shoes and dresses.
- Not Tax-Free: Items over $100, jewelry, handbags and sports equipment
School Supplies
- Tax-Free: School supplies that are less than $100 per item. Think backpacks, pencils, notebooks and art supplies.
- Not Tax-Free: School supplies more than $100 each.
Computers
- Tax-Free: Computers less than $1,500. Laptops and tablets as well.
- Not Tax-Free: Storage media like flash drives, printer supplies or household appliances.
Copyright 2026 WSMV. All rights reserved.
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