Oklahoma vs Tennessee Week 2 Preview, TV Schedule, Prediction

TV Schedule: Saturday, September 12, 6:00 p.m. ET, ESPN

Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

Line: Even

The Oklahoma Sooners travel to Neyland Stadium this Saturday in a top-25 matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers in a showdown of programs in very similar situations. Both are traditional college football powers that have lost their place of prominence in their respective conference title races, both are looking to build something meaningful this season, and both DESPERATELY need a victory over a ranked opponent.

Last season, Oklahoma went 0-4 against ranked opponents, losing by an average margin of 18 points and surrendered an average of 446 yards per game with a dismal turnover margin of negative-7. Under Butch Jones, Tennessee has struggled against ranked opponents, winning just one of 12 games against top-25 teams over the last two seasons, including going 0-5 against ranked opponents in 2014.

That’s a trend that both teams are looking to buck this weekend. Oklahoma and Tennessee both got their seasons off to a good start in Week 1 with victories as the Sooners dispatched the Arkon Zips 41-3 while Tennessee prevailed in a shootout with the Bowling Green Falcons 59-30. Oklahoma dominated their game with solid defense, allowing just 226 total yards to the Zips, and a prolific aerial attack with new starting quarterback Baker Mayfield going 23-of-33 for 388 yards with three touchdowns. Tennessee rushed their way to victory, racking up 399 yards on the ground as a team with Alvin Kamara (144 yards) and Jalen Hurd (123) leading the charge.

The key in this game could come down to whether or not the Volunteers can tighten up their pass defense. Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson threw for 424 yards last week with a pair of touchdowns and no interceptions to help the Falcons push Tennessee early in their contest. Mayfield and the Sooners have better talent in the passing game than Bowling Green and are employing a more explosive passing attack in 2015 that will look to challenge Tennessee’s secondary. If Tennessee’s defense plays the same way it did in Week 1, it will be a serious challenge for the Vols to stay in this one.

So which rebounding program will come out on top in Week 2?

Prediction: Oklahoma 45, Tennessee 35