Josh Heupel, head coach of the University of Tennessee football team, has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform in the cold weather expected during their upcoming College Football Playoff (CFP) game against Ohio State. Heupel, who grew up in South Dakota, is no stranger to cold conditions and is known for his casual approach to weather, often wearing shorts during outdoor practices, even when temperatures drop in the late months of fall.
However, the issue of cold weather is a valid concern for Tennessee as they prepare to face Ohio State in a highly anticipated CFP matchup on December 21, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Both teams finished the regular season with 10-2 records, and Tennessee, seeded ninth in the CFP rankings, will play Ohio State, the eighth seed. The game is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC/ESPN. For Heupel, who is used to coaching in milder conditions in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), playing in colder climates like Columbus does raise some questions, especially regarding the impact on Tennessee’s performance.
During the College Football Playoff Selection Show on December 15, Heupel was asked about the challenges his team might face with cold temperatures. He quickly downplayed the concern, referencing Tennessee’s recent experience playing in chilly conditions. “A week ago, we played in 30-degree weather at Vanderbilt,” Heupel remarked, referencing the Vols’ regular-season finale against the Commodores on November 30. The temperature at kickoff was 41 degrees, but it dropped into the low 30s by the time the game ended. Heupel emphasized that the Tennessee football program is used to encountering colder weather, particularly when they practice outdoors in the mornings. He added, “This isn’t the Deep South. We get some colder weather. We practice in the mornings. We’ll be outside during the course of our preparation. We’ll be ready to handle the elements when we get up to Columbus, Ohio.”
Despite Heupel’s reassurance, the cold weather is expected to be a storyline heading into the game. The climate in Columbus, Ohio, is notably colder than what Tennessee players typically experience in SEC games, though it’s not an extreme difference. For comparison, when the CFP bracket was revealed on December 15, the temperature in Knoxville, Tennessee, was 55 degrees, while in Columbus, it was 51 degrees. While the difference in air temperature may not be vast, the cold wind chill in Ohio is expected to present a greater challenge, particularly for Tennessee’s players who are not accustomed to playing in such conditions on a regular basis.
One player who may feel the effects of the cold more acutely is quarterback Nico Iamaleava. Iamaleava, who hails from Long Beach, California, is used to much warmer climates, so questions about how he will handle the chilly weather are likely to be a major point of discussion in the lead-up to the game. However, Heupel and the coaching staff are confident that their players, including Iamaleava, will be well-prepared for the conditions they will face in Columbus. The team’s focus will be on continuing their standard preparation, regardless of the weather.
It’s worth noting that while cold weather is a potential factor in the upcoming game, it’s unlikely to be the coldest game Tennessee has ever played in. One of the most famous cold-weather games in the program’s history took place on November 25, 1950, when Tennessee defeated Kentucky 7-0 in single-digit temperatures. This game, played at Shields-Watkins Field in Knoxville, remains legendary for its extreme cold. The temperature the day before the game hit a record low of 12 degrees, and by game time, it had dropped even further to 5 degrees, marking the coldest November day on record in Knoxville. Despite the bitter cold, 45,000 fans attended the game, which saw snow shoveled off the field and a messy, hard-fought contest that included 20 punts, 18 turnovers, and only 17 first downs. Tennessee went on to win the national title that season, finishing with an 11-1 record, which included a victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
This historical context shows that Tennessee has faced cold conditions in the past and has emerged victorious. While this upcoming game against Ohio State may feature colder temperatures than what the team is accustomed to, Heupel’s confidence in his team’s ability to handle the weather is rooted in their experience with similar challenges. The Vols have a long history of resilience in difficult conditions, and Heupel is confident that they will adapt to whatever the elements throw their way in Columbus.
As the Vols prepare for the first-round CFP game, the primary focus will be on fine-tuning their game plan, regardless of the weather. While questions about how Tennessee will fare in the cold may continue, the team’s preparation will remain centered on their strengths and ability to execute in all conditions. Heupel has consistently emphasized the mental toughness of his players, and it’s clear that they are ready to face the challenge, whether the weather is warm or cold. Ultimately, the game will be decided by their performance on the field, not by the temperature in the stands.
