Ohio couple divided ahead of Ohio State-Tennessee game
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Ohio State will kick off the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday night against Tennessee. This is the second time these teams will play each other and the first time a Miami County couple is dealing with a house divided.
“As I got older and started paying attention to football, that's when Heath Shuler and Peyton Manning were the quarterbacks there [Tennessee], and it was kind of hard to not fall in love with them,” said Roy Dagley, a Volunteers fan.
Roy and his wife, Amanda, are both Ohio grown, but Roy has family in Tennessee and roots for the orange and white. Meanwhile, Amanda has stuck with her Buckeyes. The last time Ohio State took on Tennessee was in the 1996 Citrus Bowl, so this will be the first time their teams are going head to head as a couple. They told NBC4 that they’ve been hoping for this moment.
“I don't think my hopes were too high. Just, you know, SEC, Big Ten. Once they expanded the playoffs, we knew that there might be a chance that we could play each other,” said Amanda.
Roy said they have some Christmas festivities ahead of the game to distract themselves, but once the clock strikes 8 p.m., they are rivals.
“I invited over all the Buckeye fans that have known me forever, that have had to deal with me for the last 20 plus years just to give them a shot. Just in case Ohio State manages to win one,” said Roy.
Amanda said they are going to try not to get too competitive.
“It just depends on how annoying he wanted to be this year. So we'll see where that goes but it's all in good fun and we know that,” she said.
Roy said there is a lot riding on this outcome.
“Well, that's just going to determine who sleeps on the couch I think,” he said.
He is predicting a win for the Volunteers by three.
“I think Tennessee's defense and running game are going to own the day,” said Roy.
Amanda believes in her Buckeyes but said she’s feeling unsure about the exact final.
“Ohio State by three touchdowns or it's going to be a close game. It's going to be one or the other,” she said.
Amanda said she is still holding on to that loss to Michigan a little bit so she has her worries.
“I was very disappointed after the Michigan game. so I feel like I'm kind of used to the letdown now,” she said.
The winner will move on to face Oregon in the Rose Bowl. The Buckeyes and Volunteers kick off at 8p.m. at Ohio Stadium.