Tennessee football returns to Neyland Stadium on Saturday night as they face Oklahoma in its annual dark mode game. It’s effectively a College Football Playoff elimination game with both teams needing to run the table to make the playoffs.
The Vols are 2.5-point favorites against Oklahoma according to the DK Sportsbook with kickoff a day away. Here’s three keys as Tennessee faces Oklahoma.
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Have Success Rushing The Passer
Tennessee’s pass rush was one of the nation’s best the first half of the season but has been quiet the last two games totaling just one sack in its loss at Alabama and win against Kentucky. Now some of that is not just the pass rushes fault. Both opponents have worked to get rid of the football quickly and not let Tennessee’s defensive line have time to work.
This is a perfect bounce back opportunity for Tennessee’s pass rush. Oklahoma’s offensive line has struggled all season and John Mateer has a tendency to hold onto the football too long. The Vols should be able to force Oklahoma into third-and-long and let their pass rush cook when they do.
Tennessee’s pass rush having success is key for the Vols’ shaky defense to have success. If they can get to Mateer and create havoc when they do then they’ll be in business.
Run The Ball To Open Up The Passing Game
Oklahoma’s defense has some of the best numbers in the entire country. But those numbers are largely built off success against Michigan, Auburn, Texas and South Carolina. Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss showed that this is a good but not perfect defense last week.
To me, the key for Tennessee’s offense is to run the ball with some consistency in this game. They don’t have to be elite on the ground but it has to be a consistent area that Tennessee can lean on. Make Oklahoma respect the run and keep themselves out of obvious pass rush situations that allows its highly effective pass rush to tee off.
If Tennessee has the threat to run the football, Joey Aguilar and Tennessee’s passing game will be able to make plays down the field in this game.
Force Oklahoma To Settle For Field Goals
The one are where Oklahoma’s offense has been really good this season is in the red zone. In 26 trips inside the 20-yard line, the Sooners have scored 16 touchdowns. Red zone defense has been a major issue for Tennessee this season.
The Vols need to find a way to get some stops when Oklahoma gets into scoring range. If they can force Oklahoma to settle for field goals than I like Tennessee’s chances to have success.
If Tennessee forces Oklahoma to settle for three points or forces turnover on downs deep in its own territory than I am skeptical that the Sooners will be able to keep up.
