After a red-hot start to the 2024 season, Tennessee heads on the road to Oklahoma for its most challenging game to date this season against the 15th-ranked Sooners.
The Vols have outscored their first three opponents 145-13 so far this season against two outmatched opponents and a middle of the pack ACC foe. Now their quest for a SEC Championship begins at Josh Heupel’s alma mater.
Taking a look at three keys for Tennessee to open up SEC play with a bang by defeating Oklahoma in Norman.
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Find Success On The Ground
Through three weeks, Tennessee football has the best rushing offense in the entire SEC. The Vols have steamrolled their first three opponents on the ground but that’s unlikely to be the case against Oklahoma. The Sooners are giving up just 77 yards per game on the ground this season and have what it takes to slow down Tennessee’s rushing attack.
Tennessee isn’t going to rush for 300-plus yards like they’re averaging so far this season. But they do need to find some success on the ground. I don’t know if there’s a magic number that Tennessee needs on the ground but they have to keep Oklahoma’s defense honest and to stay in front of the sticks to make life easier for Nico Iamalaeva.
Dylan Sampson is one of the best running backs in the country and this will be an opportunity for him to prove it against a stout defense. I think his slippery running style will be crucial in this one.
Nico Iamaleava Limit Mistakes
The first key ties right into this one. Tennessee is the better team in this game. That’s why they’re touchdown favorites on the road. It’s Iamaleava’s first road start and he’s facing a good defense and a good defensive coaching staff. The fastest way for Oklahoma to pull the moderate upset is to force Iamaleava into mistakes.
That’s why it’s important for Tennessee to have success on the ground in this game. That will limit their third-and-longs and for Oklahoma to try and tee off against a Tennessee offensive line that’s been a tad shaky in pass protection so fat this season.
Either way though, Tennessee is going to have success throwing the ball to win that game. That’s yet to be the case in Iamaleava’s four games starting at quarterback. Tennessee will ask Iamaleava to make plays in this game. That opens up opportunities for him to make mistakes. Iamaleava doesn’t have to make no mistakes. He just has to avoid the big ones.
Contain Jackson Arnold’s Legs
Oklahoma’s offense has struggled despite its relatively soft strength of schedule so far this season in large part due to poor offensive line play. The Sooners have been unable to line up and run it straight at opponents. In fact, their three running backs have totaled just 263 yards and 4.2 yards per carry.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold is leading Oklahoma in rushing through three games with 159 rushing yards and he’s done most that damage not on designed quarterback runs but on scrambles.
During Tim Banks’ four seasons as defensive coordinator, the Vols have struggled containing scrambling running backs at times. Arnold presents that same challenge especially for an aggressive pass rush. Tennessee must keep contain while rushing Arnold and not allow him to scramble for first downs, especially on third downs.
