Why is Ohio State called the Buckeyes? Explaining nickname of Tennessee’s CFP opponent

Tennessee football‘s matchup against Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoffis an elite nickname matchup.

The No. 8 Buckeyes (10-2) will host the No. 9 Vols (10-2) at Ohio Stadium on Saturday with a chance to face No. 1 Oregon in the quarterfinals next weekend on the line. While Tigers, Bulldogs and Wildcats are extremely common nicknames for college programs, both the Buckeyes and Vols bring a variance to the sport.

While Tennessee fans undoubtedly know exactly what a Volunteer is and its origins, some may be unsure what a Buckeye is, or why Ohio State got the nickname. Tennessee and Ohio State have only played each other once, with the Vols earning a 20-14 win over the Buckeyes in the 1996 Citrus Bowl.

REQUIRED READING:What is Tennessee’s record against Ohio State? What to know about past matchups ahead of CFP

Here’s an explanation of the Buckeyes‘ nickname, including its origin and history:

What is a Buckeye?

A buckeye has two meanings. The first is a “small, shiny, dark brown nut with a light tan patch,” according to Ohio State. The nut comes from the official state tree: a buckeye tree.

According to the university’s Museum of Biological Diversity, the term “buckeye” originated with European immigrants coming to the Americas. Indigenous people noticed that Europeans had larger eyes, similar to those of a male buck deer. Thus, the term “buckeye” was born.

According to Ohio State’s library, Col. Ebenezer Sproat was the first person referred to as a “hetuck,” meaning “big buckeye,” in 1788, 15 years before Ohio State became a state. In 1833, future president and General William Harrison used the term several times to describe a special group of Ohio soldiers during the War of 1812 who had conquered a superior number of enemies.