Ohio State AD Makes Urgent Plea to Fans as Major Blunder Could Cost Buckeyes Big Against Tennessee

College football is heating up, literally! Some teams are even winterizing the stadium to get ready for the big game. With playoff dreams on the line, teams aren’t just battling on the field; their fans are going full throttle in the stands. And this week, all eyes are on the Ohio State vs. Tennessee showdown, a critical matchup that could make or break the Buckeyes’ season. In the past, these teams have only faced each other once, resulting in a 20-14 victory for Tennessee in the 1996 Citrus Bowl. So the hype is real, and the action started long before kickoff.

Ohio Stadium, with its roaring crowd of 102,780, thrives on its electric game-day energy—think iconic run-out music and deafening chants. Losing that edge could be a gut punch for the Buckeyes. So the Ohio State fans are being urged to keep their tickets close—like, Fort Knox-level close. Why? Because Tennessee fans are outsmarting the system, snapping up tickets, and plotting to flood the stadium with their signature orange. Ohio State Athletic Director Ross Bjork practically begged Buckeye Nation to stop the ticket leaks.

Even Barstool Sports couldn’t resist chiming in on X: “Ohio State’s president and AD are begging Buckeyes fans to not sell their tickets after OSU’s presale code leaked and Tennessee fans bought thousands.” Yikes. For Buckeyes fans, it feels like they’re being outmaneuvered before the game even starts.

And it’s not just talk. Tickets disappeared faster than free pizza at a frat party. While Ohio State has tried to preserve its home-field advantage by limiting Tennessee’s allotment to just 3,500 seats (including a measly 500 for their band), secondary market tickets are popping up at sky-high prices. Buckeyes fans are left scrambling to secure spots, while Tennessee fans are buying seats en masse, plotting an orange invasion.

This entire mess became an advantage for not only the Tennessee team but also for the resellers, who made loads of money through selling tickets at much higher prices, from $100 to directly $825 and $1500. Now whatever the situation is, somehow the Vols got an unsaid advantage over the crowd in their upcoming game. But the problem will arise the most for the Buckeyes if they can’t make it against them this weekend.

A loss against Tennessee might bring misery to Ryan Day

Well, Ohio State’s struggle this past month was a perfect example of how consistency is a myth. Even after landing a tough loss against Michigan, somehow the Buckeyes managed to clinch a spot in the playoffs and will face Tennessee this week. If everything goes according to their plan, they might end up playing against Oregon at the Rose Bowl.

But this might not be as straight as it looks. Ohio State is hosting its first-ever college football playoff game in its home stadium, and losing at home might be the last thing Ryan Day would want. Because this time Ryan Day will not only miss out on a shot at the national championship but might also lose his job despite Ross Bjork’s confidence.

Moreover, Tennessee’s victory against Oklahoma is still one of the most celebrated wins of the season. This team earned every bit of hype they got, especially with quarterback Nico Iamaleva’s partnership with running back Dylan Sampson. That duo made things look like a piece of cake. Somewhere even coach Ryan Day knows beating Tennessee will not be as easy as he says, “It’s gonna be on us to have two fast weeks to prep, and this first win is critical to building momentum.” But then we can also not forget how the team has performed against Indiana and made them struggle for a win. When people doubt your capabilities the most, that’s when you demonstrate your abilities.