Paul Finebaum lauds "40,000" Tennessee fans but rips Volunteers' on-field performance against Ohio State 

The ninth-seeded Tennessee Volunteers faced the eighth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round of the College Football Playoff last week. While the game was expected to be close, it was anything but as Ohio State dominated the Volunteers (42-17).

College football analyst Paul Finebaum discussed the game on his "The Paul Finebaum Show."

"Forget how Tennessee played; it was an abomination," the analyst said. "Anyone out there who can't come away respecting the energy, the devotion, the time, the money spent, and the passion of Tennessee fans is simply missing the point. That, to me, was one of the great stories of the first weekend, the fact that 40,000 Tennessee fans marched into Columbus, Ohio."

Despite the large contingent of fans, the Volunteers were outplayed on both sides of the ball by the Buckeyes. They failed to stand up and make it a close game, much to the surprise of their fans.

Tennessee's coach and QB give their verdict on the fans

After the game, key Tennessee Volunteers program personnel felt disappointed after seeing fans arrive in huge numbers.

"I'm disappointed for them, disappointed for our team, and everything we put into it since last January, that we didn't coach and play better in this one early," Coach Josh Heupel said in post game press conference.

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava said:

"It sucks the performance we gave them. I hope they get home safe, man.I really appreciate the support."

This was the first playoff game the Volunteers had played (in the National Championship Playoffs) since their championship-winning season in 1998. The fans created a unique atmosphere, and this story became one of the talking points of what was a lackluster first round.

But, for Volunteers fans, their journey is over, and they will have to wait until next season to see their team again.