It is the Josh Heupel Bowl, the first game for both teams in the SEC, Oklahoma’s first game in the league, a big game between two top football schools, and
It is very, very important for the Sooners.
It has looked great in Tennessee. It beat NC State easily and held Kent State to 71 points. As for the rest of its schedule, it is not as tough as OU’s.
There are two games left: one at home against Alabama and one on the road against Georgia. Other than those two, things should be pretty easy.
The Sooners still have to play Alabama, go to Ole Miss, and trip to Missouri, Auburn, and LSU. They need to win this because it is been hard work to get to 3-0 so far.
Tennessee vs Oklahoma Preview
Tennessee vs Oklahoma How to Watch
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2024
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
How to Watch: ABC
Oklahoma (3-0), Tennessee (3-0)
Why Tennessee Will Win
Either Oklahoma’s offense has been holding back during the first three games while they wait for the SEC season to start, or something is wrong.
The Sooners can not seem to get the chains to move. The offense has not been able to handle a lot of tough teams yet, and they have not been able to fix their problems with third-down conversions or running the ball well enough.
Tennessee has had the best defense in the country and the best attack in the country. With wins over Chattanooga and Kent State, the stats do not tell the whole story. This team also did well against NC State. The No. 2 defense in the country has a pass rush that has not been used yet, but, to borrow a line from Coach Prime, it is coming.
Tennessee also has the best defense on third downs in the country. Put stress on Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold, and things will go well. On the other hand…
Why Oklahoma Will Win
OK, Oklahoma, that was really funny. Let us get this attack going right away.
This is when the OU O line should start to turn it up a notch. Get rough right away and start hitting Tennessee. Make them work a little.
The bigger good thing is that the pass rush is making a lot of mistakes. Six things they learned against Temple, two against Houston, and two more against Tulane. It all starts with the pressure, which should finally make Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava hurry up a bit.
The offensive front giving everyone days to work is helpful, and the Tennessee offensive front is doing that. Oklahoma should stop that.
Tennessee vs Oklahoma: Who Will Win
It is not likely that Josh Heupel’s new team will beat his old one, but it will have better line play and better passing to keep things going.
Things are going to get tougher in Oklahoma. The energy will be different, and performance and attention will be better. That will last for about an hour and a half. Tennessee will get comfortable, and then in the second half, it will take over and start to pull away.
Then OU’s problems with third downs will become really bad.
Tennessee vs Oklahoma Prediction, Betting Lines
Tennessee 31, Oklahoma 23
Line: Tennessee -7, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Tennessee vs Oklahoma Must See Rating: 5
Expert Picks: Tennessee at Oklahoma
