SEC Network's Chris Doering is headed to Columbus for Vols-Buckeyes

With the Tennessee Volunteers taking on Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoff, SEC Network analyst Chris Doering will be on-site at "The Horseshoe" on Saturday night. Doering spoke to TexAgs Live about that matchup and much more.

Key notes from Chris Doering interview

• I am getting my first taste of “The Horseshoe.” As a Florida boy, I had to buy a new coat and gloves.
   
• I don't think the weather at Ohio State is as big of a deal as people are making it out to be. This Tennessee team is not like years past. It's not a typical Josh Heupel offense. They are more built around running the football and playing great defense. Several matchups favor Tennessee. I believe this is a game Tennessee should be favored in. Michigan ran the ball right down Ohio State's throat. Will Howard was a mess in that game. I think Tennessee wins, and I think they win by 10 points.
   
• I think there is a lot of pressure on Ryan Day to start fast, but I think there is a lot of pressure on Quinn Ewers and Texas to start fast. If they slog around a little bit and Ewers is inaccurate, that crowd is going to get antsy, and they will want to see Arch Manning. You would hate to have your crowd turn on you. There is pressure on Cade Klubnik, going back to his hometown. The roster difference is significant between Texas and Clemson. I think this is another double-digit win for the SEC team.
   
• I believe we will see Oregon and Georgia play, even though Carson Beck will probably miss the entire playoff. I think those teams will meet for a national championship. Biggest upset? It's probably Tennessee. I don't know if SMU will win in Happy Valley. Indiana may be the most unproven team of anybody in the playoff. I think Notre Dame wins that one.
   
• After the Texas A&M game, Florida fans were ready to have Billy Napier hit the road. It was the manner in which Florida lost to Miami and A&M. They were pushed around on the line of scrimmage. A&M had a 99-yard drive and didn't throw the football once. Florida had deficiencies on the line and turned them into strengths. After A&M, the team took more ownership, and they had traction.
   
• The bowl game for A&M and Florida means an awful lot. Bowl games can serve as a celebration of the season you have had and a springboard for next year. For Mike Elko, it's important they win against USC to get that momentum for next season. Florida hasn't won a bowl game since 2019. Against a shorthanded Tulane team, I think Florida gets it done.
   
• Ahead of the 2023 season, Las Vegas projected Florida to win 4.5 games. After the A&M loss, I thought they were a three-win team. I don't know if I have ever seen a more remarkable turnaround season. You could name Clark Lea, Steve Sarkisian, Kirby Smart or Shane Beamer as Coach of the Year, but I thought Napier was in the same conversation.
   
• Next year, the expectation goes up for Florida. I think they could be an eight or nine-win team. That would feel like a win.
   
• It starts with having the right guy. I think Elko is the right guy to lead the program. His ability to get everyone to buy in immediately was remarkable. Defensively, they will always be tough up front. When you lose Le'Veon Moss, he was the physical presence on offense. That hurt them. Having Marcel Reed play in the bowl game is one of those things you can use as the starting point for 2025.