Tennessee football vs Oklahoma: Everything you need to know

Tennessee football is preparing for its first true road test as it heads to Norman, Oklahoma, to face the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners. The primetime-ranked matchup will challenge Tennessee's offense, led by redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava. 

Nico has already shown flashes of leading the Vols to the mountaintop, but this will be his first SEC challenge ahead of the Vols' gauntlet conference schedule. 

Through the season's first three games, Nico has thrown for 698 yards and six touchdowns. Despite his lack of experience, he has been a big part of Tennessee outscoring its opponents 191-13. 

The Vols' defense has been equally impressive, being one of two FBS programs to have not allowed a touchdown in its past 16 quarters or four games, dating back to last year's bowl game. The Vols' defense looked impressive against NC State but will now face an improved Oklahoma offense looking to upset the Vols. 

Matchup History

It's the first year Oklahoma is in the SEC, but the Vols and Sooners have become familiar with each other prior to joining the conference. They have played four times, with two games coming in within the past decade. 

Tennessee won its initial matchup 17-0 in 1939, but OU has won the last three games, including a 26-24 win in 1968, 34-10 in 2014, and 31-24 in 2015. We will get at least one more guaranteed matchup after this Saturday, as the Sooners will come to Neyland next year with the SEC's new schedule format. 

Betting Lines

The betting line for this game opened with Tennessee as a 3.5-point favorite, but that line has since moved in the Vols' favor. Tennessee currently sits as a 7.5-point favorite at the time of this writing. The Over/Under is set at 56.5 points, so Vegas is looking for another high-scoring Tennessee game. 

Handling Business

Josh Heupel is returning to Oklahoma for the first time since being fired as the offensive coordinator in 2014. He won a National Championship for the Sooners and finished second in the Heisman race in 2000. He later returned as a coach, but his tenure didn't end on a high note after long-time head coach Bob Stoops had fired him. 

Earlier this week, an Oklahoma reporter said Heupel coaches the same way he used to play — with a chip on his shoulder. He takes things personally, so expect the Vols to bring that same energy to Gaylord Family Stadium on Saturday night and handle business in their SEC opener. 

Kickoff and Broadcast

Tennessee will play in its third primetime kickoff in a row. The Vols played night games against NC State and Kent State the past two weeks, so there won't be anything the Vols aren't familiar with before kickoff. 

The game will be broadcast on ABC with a 7:30 p.m. ET scheduled kickoff. For the second time this season, Tennessee's game, and he will be joined by Kirk Herbstreit in the booth and Holly Rowe on the sideline.