| Year Game Played: | 1996 |
| Title Sponsor: | CompUSA |
| Game Name: | Florida Citrus Bowl |
| Football Season: | 1995 |
| Visitor Name Short: | Ohio State |
| Visitor Nickname: | Buckeyes |
| Visitor School: | Ohio State University |
| Home Name Short: | Tennessee |
| Home Nickname: | Volunteers |
| Home School: | University of Tennessee |
| Visitor Record: | 11–1 |
| Visitor Conference: | Big Ten |
| Home Record: | 10–1 |
| Home Conference: | SEC |
| Visitor Coach: | John Cooper |
| Home Coach: | Phillip Fulmer |
| Visitor Rank Ap: | T - 4 |
| Visitor Rank Coaches: | 5 |
| Visitor Rank Bowlalliance: | 5 |
| Home Rank Ap: | T - 4 |
| Home Rank Coaches: | 4 |
| Home Rank Bowlalliance: | 4 |
| Visitor 1Q: | 7 |
| Visitor 2Q: | 0 |
| Visitor 3Q: | 0 |
| Visitor 4Q: | 7 |
| Home 1Q: | 0 |
| Home 2Q: | 7 |
| Home 3Q: | 7 |
| Home 4Q: | 6 |
| Date Game Played: | January 1 |
| Stadium: | Florida Citrus Bowl |
| City: | Orlando, Florida |
| Referee: | Steve Usechek (Big Eight) |
| Attendance: | 70,797 |
| Us Network: | ABC |
| Us Announcers Link: | List of announcers of major college bowl games |
| Us Announcers: | Brent Musburger and Dick Vermeil |
The 1996 Florida Citrus Bowl was a college football bowl game featuring the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten, against the Tennessee Volunteers of the SEC. The Buckeyes were sparked by their senior Heisman Trophy winner running back Eddie George. The Vols were led by sophomore quarterback Peyton Manning. Both teams entered the game with losses to rival teams.
The Buckeyes started off the season with a surprising win over Notre Dame. However, the media buzz around the Big Ten surrounded the Northwestern Wildcats who earned their way to an unbeaten conference run. Because the Buckeyes held the tiebreaker over the Wildcats, the only thing between the Buckeyes invitation into the Rose Bowl and a possible National Championship was their rival the Michigan Wolverines. However, running back Tim Biakabutuka led the Wolverines to a 31-23 upset, sending the 'Cats to the Rose Bowl.
Tennessee started off the season with victories over East Carolina and Georgia, before heading off to Gainesville to play the rival Gators.[1] The Vols held a 30–21 halftime lead only to be outscored 41–7 in the second half, suffering a 62–37 defeat.[2] However, the team won their remaining 8 regular season games, including a 41–14 win over Alabama.[3] [4] The Vols ended the season ranked third.[5]