UT vs OU: CFP Elimination Game Preview

**No. 17 Tennessee Set to Host No. 10 Oklahoma in Marquee CFP Elimination Showdown**

**KNOXVILLE, TN – October 26, 2023** – A high-stakes clash with significant College Football Playoff implications is set to unfold this Saturday as the No. 17 Tennessee Volunteers host the No. 10 Oklahoma Sooners at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern Time, with the pivotal interconference matchup broadcast nationally on ESPN.

This contest represents more than just a regular-season game; for both programs, it looms as a potential College Football Playoff (CFP) elimination game. Both the Vols and the Sooners enter the weekend with identical 6-1 records, making a second loss a critical blow to their national title aspirations in the current four-team playoff format. Tennessee’s sole defeat came earlier in the season against SEC East rival Florida, while Oklahoma’s perfect start was marred by a tight loss to archrival Texas in the Red River Rivalry.

Beyond the immediate CFP picture, the game also offers a compelling glimpse into the future of college football. Oklahoma is slated to join the Southeastern Conference in 2024, making this matchup a rare preview of a future conference rivalry and an early test of how the Sooners might fare in the demanding SEC environment.

**Tennessee’s Path to Redemption**
Under head coach Josh Heupel, the Volunteers have shown resilience since their road loss to Florida. They’ve rattled off four consecutive wins, including a dominant home performance against UTSA and a hard-fought victory over Texas A&M. The Vols’ offense, led by quarterback Joe Milton III, relies on a potent rushing attack featuring Jaylen Wright, Dylan Sampson, and Jabari Small, complemented by Milton’s strong arm and deep ball capabilities. Defensively, Tennessee boasts one of the nation’s top defensive lines, spearheaded by disruptive edge rusher James Pearce Jr., who has consistently pressured opposing quarterbacks. The Vols will look to leverage the raucous Neyland Stadium crowd, known for its “Checkerboard” tradition in prime-time games, to create a decisive home-field advantage.

“This is a tremendous challenge, a great opportunity for our guys to compete against a really good football team,” Heupel said earlier this week. “Our focus has been entirely on our preparation and being the best version of ourselves come Saturday night. The atmosphere at Neyland will be electric, and we need to feed off that.”

**Oklahoma’s Resurgence and Road Test**
Oklahoma, under second-year head coach Brent Venables, has undergone a significant transformation from last season. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel has been exceptionally efficient, guiding a high-scoring offense that averages over 40 points per game. Receivers like Drake Stoops and Jalil Farooq have been key targets, while the defense, a priority for Venables, has shown marked improvement, generating turnovers and applying pressure. Their response to the Texas loss has been strong, with commanding victories over UCF and Kansas. However, the trip to Knoxville presents their first true hostile road environment since their trip to Fort Worth to face TCU.

“Tennessee is a very good football team, well-coached, and they play with great passion,” Venables remarked in his media availability. “We know it’s going to be a tough environment, one of the best in college football. Our guys have to be focused, disciplined, and execute at a high level for four quarters. This is a game that tests your mettle.”

**Historical Context and Betting Lines**
This will be just the sixth meeting all-time between the two programs, with Oklahoma holding a 3-2 series advantage. Their last encounter was in 2015, a 31-24 overtime victory for the Sooners in Knoxville.

As of Thursday, the Volunteers are favored by approximately 7.5 points, with the over/under for total points set around 60. The betting lines reflect the anticipated high-scoring nature of the game and Tennessee’s home-field advantage.

**National Spotlight and Broadcast Details**
With both teams fighting to stay relevant in the CFP conversation, the game is expected to draw a massive national audience. The winner will bolster their resume and maintain a narrow path to the coveted four-team playoff, while the loser will face an uphill battle to recover.

Fans can catch the game live on ESPN, with streaming available through the ESPN App. For further game details and team news, visit ESPN.com, UTsports.com, and SoonerSports.com.