Oklahoma vs. Tennessee Football Preview

**No. 18 Sooners Head to Knoxville for Marquee Early-Season Clash Against No. 9 Volunteers**

**KNOXVILLE, TN – September 5, 2023** – A significant early-season college football showdown is set to electrify Neyland Stadium this Saturday, September 9, as the No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners travel to take on the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. Eastern Time, with ESPN providing live national coverage of the highly anticipated matchup.

This contest marks Oklahoma’s first trip to Knoxville since 2015, a memorable encounter where the Sooners staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Volunteers 31-24 in double overtime. Fast forward eight years, both teams enter Saturday’s game undefeated at 1-0, having showcased dominant performances in their respective Week 1 openers.

Oklahoma, under second-year head coach Brent Venables, opened its season with a resounding 73-0 victory over Arkansas State. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel spearheaded the offensive onslaught, throwing for 308 yards and two touchdowns while displaying crisp command of the new-look Sooners attack. The defense, now fully embodying Venables’ aggressive philosophy, delivered a shutout performance, a stark contrast to struggles in the previous season.

Meanwhile, Tennessee, guided by head coach Josh Heupel, also started strong, dispatching Virginia 49-13. Quarterback Joe Milton III, in his first full season as the undisputed starter, impressed with 201 passing yards and two touchdowns, complementing his aerial effort with 33 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. The Volunteers’ high-octane offense picked up where it left off, while their defense demonstrated its capability by largely containing the Cavaliers.

This game is widely considered a major litmus test for both programs. For Oklahoma, it represents a crucial road challenge against a formidable SEC opponent, providing an early taste of the conference they are slated to join in 2024. The Sooners’ defense will face a much stiffer test against Heupel’s explosive offense and the raucous Neyland Stadium crowd. How Venables’ unit handles the tempo and diverse playmaking abilities of Tennessee will be a key storyline.

For Tennessee, the game offers a prime opportunity to validate their aspirations as a true College Football Playoff contender this season. The Volunteers, known for their up-tempo offensive scheme and an increasingly stout defense, aim to build on last year’s successful campaign. Milton’s ability to navigate pressure and distribute the ball, along with Tennessee’s formidable defensive front, will be critical in controlling the game’s momentum.

Experts and oddsmakers are leaning towards the home team. Tennessee is favored by 7 points, with the total points for the game set at 63, indicating expectations for a high-scoring affair. Most analysts project the Volunteers to cover the spread, anticipating a strong performance from the No. 9 ranked team in front of what is sure to be one of college football’s loudest environments.

Beyond the immediate implications, this matchup serves as a preview of future conference rivalry, albeit a year early. As Oklahoma prepares for its move to the SEC, these cross-conference clashes against established powers like Tennessee become invaluable barometers for where the program stands. Saturday’s contest in Knoxville promises to be a thrilling early-season spectacle with significant ramifications for the national landscape.