Prediction, forecast, spread, football game odds, where to watch, TV channel, live stream, Tennessee vs. Oklahoma
On Saturday night, Tennessee (No. 6) visits Oklahoma (No. 15) in one of the biggest matchups of Week 4. It's obviously an important matchup, as it's the SEC opener for both teams, but there are some deeper storylines that give this primetime clash more meaning.
For starters, it’s Oklahoma’s first conference game as an SEC program. The Sooners will be eager to send a message to their new conference mates, in front of what’s sure to be an enthusiastic crowd in their fourth straight home game to open the season. This also seems like an important place to get a win, as Oklahoma has to play three teams ranked inside the top-10 of the latest AP poll outside the comfort of Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
For the Vols, this is a very important game, beyond the obvious connections to Josh Heupel. Tennessee hopes to finally break into the SEC's upper echelon and plant its flag as a legitimate team. College football Playoff contender after a strong start to the year. Tennessee has won its first three games by an average of 59.3 points (including a 51-10 win over former top-25 team NC State) and the Vols have not allowed a single offensive touchdown in four straight games dating back to last season's win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.
Tennessee vs. Oklahoma: What you need to know
Josh Heupel returns: This will be The first time Heupel has returned to Norman as a pro since being fired as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator in 2014. Heupel’s journey with the Sooners began in 1999, when he signed to play quarterback at Snow College in Utah. In 2000, he led Oklahoma to an undefeated season and a national championship with a 13-2 win over Florida State in the Orange Bowl. He was also a Heisman Trophy runner-up, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and an All-American.
After a brief stint in the National Football League (NFL)Heupel returned to Oklahoma in 2004 as a graduate assistant on Bob Stoops' staff. In 2006, Stoops hired Heupel as quarterbacks coach. He added co-offensive coordinator to his list of responsibilities in 2011.
Heupel and Venables have a very long relationship: On Saturday, the Vols and Sooners will square off against each other. But the relationship between Heupel and Venables goes back a bit further. Venables was with Oklahoma as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 1999-2000, when Heupel was tearing apart opposing defenses as a quarterback. From 2004-11, Venables was associate head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. With Venables and Heupel on staff, Oklahoma posted five 10-win seasons and four Big 12 titles from 2006-11.
Frontline Quarterback Battle: Nico Iamaleava and Jackson Arnold were two of the top prospects in the Recruiting Class of 2023. They were ranked as the No. 2 and No. 10 prospects nationally and the No. 2 and No. 4 quarterbacks, respectively. Their college careers have also followed a similar arc so far. Iamaleava got his first career start for the Vols in their Citrus Bowl win against Iowa, while Arnold led Oklahoma’s offense in the Alamo Bowl against Arizona. Now both are firmly entrenched as starting quarterbacks for two of the most prolific programs in America. Saturday will mark the first time two gunslingers from the highly touted class of 2023 face off on a college football field, bringing the entire story full circle.
How to watch Tennessee vs Oklahoma live
Date:Saturday, September 21 | Time: 7:30 pm Eastern Time
Location:Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Norman, Oklahoma
TV: Alphabet | Live broadcast: fubo (Try it for free)
Prediction and predictions for Tennessee vs. Oklahoma
There are some concerns about Tennessee playing on the road. The Vols haven't been particularly good in big road games under Josh Heupel, and this will be quarterback Nico Iamaleava's first game as a starter in a truly hostile environment. But this figures to be a perfect matchup for Tennessee. Oklahoma's offensive line hasn't been very good. The Vols have one of the best defensive lines in the country. Oklahoma has struggled to score points consistently. Tennessee has punted just twice. Both defenses are really good, so this game could be a slugfest early on, but Tennessee's offense will make enough plays to come out on top in Norman. Pick: Tennessee -7 (-107)
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