They say big players show up in big games, and there will be plenty of those on the field Saturday evening in Knoxville, Tenn., where a really big interconference, cross-sectional game between top-25 opponents will take place: OU vs. Tennessee.
The Sooners are a very slight favorite in this Week 2, Big 12-SEC showdown, but the experts in the college football universe are mixed as to which team will be on top when the final gun sounds.
The stars will no doubt rise to the top in a game of this much national interest, but in truth it will be the play of the various offensive, defensive and special teams units and which side gains the most or widest advantage when all the aspects that go into team are totaled up at the end.
Here is how we assess the various matchups in the OU-Tennessee scorecard:
When OU runs the ball
Dec 6, 2014; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Samaje Perine (32) runs for a touchdown against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the first quarter at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
The Sooners have one of the best running-back tandems in college football in bruiser-back Samaje Perine and the speedy Joe Mixon, but questions still abound whether OU’s new Air Raid offense will limit what was the Sooners’ strength a year ago. The Sooners were not able to get the run game going in last week’s season-opening win over Akron, gaining just 100 net yards on the ground. And they won’t find things any better going against a stout Tennessee defensive line. The inexperience of the OU offensive line will make it tough for Perine and Mixon to find much space up the middle. Advantage Tennessee
When OU throws the ball
Oklahoma has gone back to what worked best when Bob Stoops came to Norman. Baker Mayfield operated in Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid system when he was the starter at Texas Tech in 2013, and he found 10 different receivers for 388 passing yards and three touchdowns in his Sooner quarterback debut last week. Tennessee gave up 433 yards through the air in its opening-game win over Bowling Green. Look for Mayfield to find his receivers again this week and expose a very questionable secondary. The Sooner offensive line will have its hands full protecting Mayfield on passing downs, but the quick reads and throws that are the essence of the Air Raid philosophy will help negate the Volunteers strong pass rush. Advantage Oklahoma
When Tennessee runs the ball
Sep 5, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) rushes toward the end zone against the Bowling Green Falcons during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
No question that the Volunteers will go right at the Sooners with an especially strong running game. Tennessee’s triple-headed-monster ground game with a bigger, stronger Jalen Hurd this season and former Alabama commitment Alvin Kamara, who combined for 267 of the Vols’ 399 rushing yards last weekend. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs also contributes to the ground game with his legs, which presents a big challenge for an OU front seven that has had problems historically defending against mobile quarterbacks.
The Sooners led the Big 12 last season, allowing just over 100 yards on the ground, and they held Akron to 138 rushing yards last weekend.If the Sooners sellout on the run, Dobbs has the ability to burn the defense with his legs or his arm, and the Volunteers have speed, talent and depth at the receiving position. Advantage Tennessee
When Tennessee throws the ball
Tennessee has very good receivers and Dobbs is a better than average passing quarterback. The Volunteers are well aware of all the problems Oklahoma had last season in their secondary and will try to exploit that perceived defensive deficiency. The Oklahoma coaches say that the back end of the defense is a year older and much improved over last fall. If the Sooners are unable to contain or limit the powerful Tennessee running attack, it is going to open up passing lanes and create additional stress and problems on the OU pass defense.
Nov 15, 2014; Lubbock, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive end Eric Striker (19) sacks Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes (5) in the first half at Jones AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The ability of linebackers Eric Striker and Dominique Alexander and defensive end Charles Tapper to keep pressure on the Vols’ quarterback and not allow him to get free out of the pocket will be a huge factor in how well the Sooner D-backs are able cover the Tennessee receivers and take away big passing plays. The Volunteers will also throw to their running backs, much like the Sooners, which OU will need to be mindful of. The Oklahoma defense was a big factor in the Sooners’ blowout win over Akron, limiting the Zips to a mere 88 passing yards. Advantage Oklahoma
Special Teams
For the first time in OU football history, a true freshman has won the No. 1 punting and placekicking job. Austin Seibert made both of his field-goal tries last weekend (35 and 41 yards) and all five extra points. He also averaged 49 yards per punt. Kickoff specialist Nick Hodgson for OU had one of the best touchback averages a year ago in college football. Alex Ross returned two kickoffs for touchdowns last season. He was held in check last week, but is always a threat to break off a long return. Sterling Shepard returns punts for the Sooners. He mishandled a punt last week, but he also is dangerous if he gets free from the first wave of tacklers.
Tennessee’s field-goal kicker Aaron Medley made just one of three FG attempts against Bowling Green (missing from 29 and 42 yards). Trevor Daniel punted three times last week for an average of 47 yards. Kick returner Evan Berry was a 2014 Athlon Freshman All-American last season. Advantage Sooners
Coaching Staff
Dec 29, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops yells on the sidelines as the Clemson Tigers beat the Oklahoma Sooners 40-6 in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Bob Stoops made a number of staff changes in the offseason, including bringing in Lincoln Riley as the new offensive coordinator. Defensive coordinator Mike Stoops is calling defensive plays from the press box this season. The Sooners have a record of 50-27 under Bob Stoops against AP Top 25 teams. Conversely, Tennessee has lost 27 of its last 28 games against ranked teams. In Stoops’ 17 seasons at Oklahoma, the Sooners have won a national championship, played four times in the BCS national championship game and won eight Big 12 championships.
Butch Jones is in his third season at Tennessee and, many believe, is on the verge of returning the Volunteers to contender status in the East Division of the SEC. He won three conference championships at Central Michigan and one league title at Cincinnati. Advantage Oklahoma