Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle and other Vol coaches talked all offseason about what a luxury it is that they’re breaking in a new starting quarterback with a veteran offensive line that includes four returning starters.
Few times this season will that be more important than on Saturday when Tennessee opens up SEC play in a hostile environment and against a great Oklahoma defense.
The challenge is sizable for Tennessee’s offensive line this week but it’s a unit that’s been dominant this season and has impressed Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables.
“If we can get them in definitive passing situations, again, they’ve got a better offensive line,” Venables said on Tuesday. “We went after one of their starters in the transfer portal market, a great player for them. Their left tackle (Lance Heard). I really have a tremendous amount of respect for how they play up front. They are really aggressive. Cooper Mays … He just plays the position, their whole offensive line, they get down in their stance, man, they’re getting down with authority. And they’re sending a message and they’re incredibly physical.”
Heard is the one new starter on Tennessee’s offensive line after transferring in from LSU this offseason. And on an offensive line with a ton of veterans and starting experience, the sophomore is the odd man out.
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The former five-star recruit has been dominant run blocking so far this season, like the rest of Tennessee’s offensive line, but has been a little bit shaky in pass protection.
Oklahoma has two edge rushers with 2.5-plus sacks this season and will be the best defensive line that the Vols have faced on the young season. Tennessee’s ability to protect Nico Iamaleava and limit his ability to make mistakes is crucial in his first true road game.
That starts with Tennessee ability to run the ball and stay out of third-and-long in addition to protecting well in obvious passing downs. The Vols’ offense line has done that at a high level against overmatched opponents early in the season.
Venables sees an offensive line that looks like one of the best in the SEC entering Saturday’s top 15 matchup.
“They play a physical brand of football,” Venables said. “And I just have a lot of appreciation, respect for what that looks like. One of the best offensive lines I’ve seen in a while. And having faced several SEC teams through the years, this is one of those offensive lines, in my opinion.”
Kickoff at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday night. Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Holly Rowe are on the call for ABC.
