The stakes couldn’t be higher. Josh Heupel’s No. 9 seed Tennessee Volunteers are heading into a December 22 showdown against Ryan Day’s No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes. This first-round matchup of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff is set for Ohio Stadium—better known as The Shoe. The kicker? The game ain’t just a clash of titans, it’s a low-key clash with Mother Nature. We’re talkin’ about 18-degree weather in Columbus—the type of cold that hits harder than a Buckeyes linebacker. For Tennessee’s freshman QB, Nico Iamaleava, this might be the toughest opponent he’s ever faced. Not Ohio State—but the frigid Midwest chill. College football analysts are already waving red flags about Nico’s inexperience in freezing temps.

On December 17th, fan-favorite analyst, Rece Davis, Ryan McGee from Marty & McGee, and CFB insider Pete Thamel went all in on ESPN’s College GameDay podcast, and let’s just say, the vibes were a bit frosty. McGee started lighthearted: “Josh Heupel—just him. Josh is from Aberdeen, South Dakota. He has long johns.” Davis cut him off quickly, joking, “But he’s not gonna play; it’s Nico that you worry about because he’s not from Aberdeen, South Dakota—he’s from California.” McGee doubled down: “I’ve been screaming this all along… Tennessee has plenty of players from way deep into the Sun Belt… It does get a little chilly in Knoxville, but it ain’t Columbus.”

Pete Thamel then brought the real smoke in the ice-convo: “It will be a good test for Nico. I doubt he’s ever played in a freezing cold environment… There’s grip—obviously, they like to throw it… How do you dress for it? Do you know those variables? I think they will creep in a little bit.” And there it is. Nico’s California roots have the analysts questioning whether he can handle the icebox that’s waiting for him in The Shoe.

So, is this overblown hype, or is there some truth to the doubts? Because Nico ain’t exactly fresh off a surfboard—he’s been cooking defenses all season, putting up numbers that even Heisman hopefuls dream about. But this ain’t just another Saturday under the Knoxville sun. It’s gonna be colder than a freezer aisle at Costco, and how Nico handles it might determine Tennessee’s fate.

Can Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava ball out in Columbus?

Let’s be real: Nico Iamaleava, the Cali-boy has been nothing short of diabolical for the Vols. This former 5-star prodigy took Tennessee to an impressive 11-2 record as a true freshman, slinging that ball into the end-zone like it’s nothing. He’s got 19 touchdowns to just five picks while racking up 2,512 passing yards. Lately, though? The dude’s been on straight demon time. In his last 2 games, Nico torched Vanderbilt and UTEP Miners, dropping 8 touchdowns like he was playing Madden in rookie mode. That’s momentum you don’t ignore—but not gonna lie, the cold in Columbus is gonna hit differently.

Let’s not forget, Ohio State isn’t just any defense. Yeah, they are low-key looked down at this moment, because of that Michigan loss in week 13. But let’s not act like Ohio State ain’t got No. 1 offense and No. 1 total defense in the nation. Yeah, that L sting, man. Apart from that, Ryan Day’s squad has been lights out this season, ranking top-five in scoring defense. Their pass rush is relentless, their secondary has been strapping dudes all year, they low-key need solid CB though and they’re built to thrive in December football. Add 18-degree weather to the mix. That’s a double dose of pressure on Nico, whose Cali-born grip and poise will be tested every snap.

There’s ain’t no sugarcoating it—the weather, the Buckeyes, the first-ever 12-team playoff. It’s a lot. But don’t sleep on Josh Heupel’s offense. If there’s a coach who can scheme around the cold, it’s Heupel. Expect short passes, quick screens, and a heavy dose of the run game to get Nico settled early. And also they Dylan Sampson for Nico relay on the run-game. If Nico can find his rhythm—and keep those fingers from freezing up—he’s more than capable of balling out.

For Tennessee, this game ain’t just about surviving the cold—it’s about proving that Nico Iamaleava is their QB for the future. If he pulls it off, those analysts might just have to start eating their words. So bundle up, because Columbus is about to turn into a pressure cooker—and all eyes and nose are on Nico to see if he’s ready to cook.