Following a blowout victory over Kentucky, Tennessee returns to Neyland Stadium this week where they’ll host Oklahoma in a College Football Playoff elimination game.
Here’s a look at the Oklahoma Sooners ahead of the SEC matchup at Neyland Stadium.
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How The Sooners Got Here
Oklahoma climbed all the way to No. 6 nationally after opening up the season 5-0 with home wins over Michigan and Auburn. But the Sooners have since dropped two of their last three games.
The rough streak began with a loss against rival Texas in the Red River Rivalry. They bounced back with a road win at South Carolina before falling at home to Ole Miss a week ago. Oklahoma’s offense has struggled as of late since John Mateer suffered a mid season injury.
The Sooners have a gauntlet to close the season with matchups against Alabama, Missouri and LSU to close the season.
Oklahoma Strengths
Oklahoma is sort of the opposite of Arkansas. They have an elite defense with a pretty mediocre offense. Though it’s worth nothing, Ole Miss is the only offense that the Sooners have faced with any pulse.
The Sooners rank sixth nationally in scoring defense. They’re a balanced group, ranking third in the SEC and sixth nationally in rush defense. Oklahoma’s pass defense ranks 10th nationally and second in the SEC behind a stout pass rush that ranks second nationally in sacks.
They’ve been good in the margins too, ranking third in the SEC in third down defense and have allowed just six touchdowns in 16 trips to the red zone this season.
The one area where Oklahoma’s offense has excelled is in the red zone where they have scored 19 touchdowns in 26 trips so far this season.
Oklahoma Weaknesses
Oklahoma’s offense has just been pretty pedestrian this season. They rank 10th in the SEC with 28.4 points per game. They rank 8th in the conference in passing offense just just 12th in rushing offense. Much like last year, Oklahoma’s offensive line has really struggled.
The Sooners third down offense ranks ninth in the SEC, converting 49% of third down attempts so far this season. Tennessee’s third down defense has struggled so that will be a good matchup.
The one glaring weakness for Oklahoma’s defense is its inability to force turnovers. They’ve forced only four this season and are minus-six in the turnover battle.
Sooners To Know
QB John Mateer
Mateer started the season fast before breaking his hand against Auburn. In his first four games, Mateer exceeded 270 passing yards. Since returning from injury, Mateer has yet to exceed 225 passing yards. The overall numbers are not great, throwing for 1,790 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions.
The Washington State transfer is a weapon with his legs, rushing for 226 yards and five touchdowns so far this season.
WR Isaiah Sategna III
An Arkansas transfer, Isaiah Sategna has been one of the SEC’s best receivers this season. Despite a lackluster passing offense, Sategna has caught 43 passes for 624 yards and five touchdowns.
Sategna has been at his best in SEC play, including a 127-yard performance against Auburn and a 131-yard performance against Ole Miss.
DE R Mason Thomas
Thomas is one of the nation’s best pass rushers and enters Saturday’s game with 22 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He was dominant a season ago too, totaling nine sacks including half a sack against Tennessee.
The senior edge rusher is the best pass rusher that Tennessee has faced yet this season.
LB Owen Heinecke
Heinecke is a do-it-all linebacker who has earned one of the highest PFF grades on Oklahoma’s defense this season. He’s totaled 33 tackles, one sack and four pass deflections.
What Josh Heupel Said About The Sooners
Opening statement
“Great week of football here this week, obviously a huge contest with a really good football team that we’re getting ready to play. Excited to be back in Neyland, see our fans. Dark Mode, need them (the fans), Neyland effect, to be a huge part of this football game on a Saturday night. So looking forward to the day with them.”
On Oklahoma’s offense compared to last year
“The quarterback is a playmaker. He extends plays when the initial reads aren’t there and does a great job on scrambles, keeping the play alive, throwing it down the field and using his feet when it’s not. Everything’s matched up, so you gotta apply pressure to him, but you gotta try to find a way to keep him bottled up, too. And they’ll turn the numbers into their favor of the quarterback run game, and he’s really good in that, as well. Their offensive lines have continued to get better throughout the course of the year.”
