Saturday, Sept. 21
7:30 p.m. Eastern, 4:30 p.m. Pacific
ABC
The storylines write themselves in this SEC game between Tennessee and Oklahoma. This is why the newer and bigger SEC is going to be so fun to watch. Tennessee-Oklahoma is now a conference game. The same goes for Georgia-Texas, the possible national championship game preview later this season in the SEC. So many high-end matchups await in college football’s toughest conference. This is one of the early centerpieces which will shape the 2024 SEC season.
The most obvious storyline is that Josh Heupel returns to Norman as the head coach of Oklahoma’s opponent, 24 years after he won a national championship for OU as the Sooners’ starting quarterback. Heupel is a beloved Oklahoma football legend, but he will be coaching the other side in what should be a very emotional and deeply personal game. How the emotions of the moment play into the proceedings, and how badly Oklahoma fights for respect in a home game where it is a touchdown underdog, give bettors and college football fans a lot to consider.
Tennessee Volunteers-Oklahoma Sooners Odds
Spread: Tennessee -7 (-120), Oklahoma +7 (+100)
Total: 57.5 (Over -110, Under -110)
Underdog moneyline: Oklahoma +225
Sooners Debut In The SEC To Be Scary?
In this game, all eyes are on the Oklahoma offense and quarterback Jackson Arnold. OU’s offense has struggled in the early weeks of the season, posting fewer than 17 points at home versus Houston and not lighting it up against Tulane one week later. Arnold has not been able to find a comfort zone as a passer, but is this due to the early stages of the season and the natural process of settling into a rhythm, or is it indicative of deeper, more pervasive weaknesses in his game? This contest against Tennessee might give us some very important answers.
Hear T.J. and Gary breakdown Oklahoma’s underdog chances on “3 Dog Thursday Podcast” by clicking play below,
The biggest question in this game is not whether Oklahoma can stop Tennessee’s high-powered offense and star quarterback Nico Iamaleava, but whether the OU offense can keep the UT offense off the field by controlling the ball. OU can’t keep pace with UT in a shootout, so it has to control the ball and not give Iamaleava and that roaring engine of a Vol offense a lot of good looks at scoring opportunities. Arnold will need to be really good on third downs. How well can Oklahoma convert 3rd and 5 in this game? How often can Oklahoma get into 3rd and 1 in this game to avoid having Arnold get into predictable passing situations on third down.
The Sooners have to continuously create situations which enable their offense to move the chains and drain clock. Given everything we have seen from Oklahoma through three games, skepticism is warranted. Tennessee has an offense which seems ready to come close to – if not match outright – the 2022 standard set by Hendon Hooker. Oklahoma faces far more questions and doubts in this game. If you’re a bettor, you could just sit back and observe this game as a learning moment, but if you feel you need to make a play, OU doesn’t feel like an especially attractive pick.