In preparation for Saturday’s matchup between Tennessee and Oklahoma, Saturday Down South’s Jason Hall is taking a look at the key matchups that may decide the showdown between the Vols and Sooners.

Matchup Breakdown: Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley vs. Oklahoma pass rush

Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley is off to the best start of his career. Through two games, Worley has thrown for 520 yards and five touchdowns. He currently holds a 141.02 passer rating and a 64.5 completion percentage. The senior quarterback has shown the same poise and confidence he lacked during his first three seasons in Knoxville and is primed to have a career season with an improved group of wide receivers.

Oklahoma boasts one of the most fearsome pass rushing groups in the nation. Outside linebacker Eric Striker was All-Big 12 in 2013 after recording 50 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and seven QB hurries. Striker is at his best in pass situations when he can come off the edge and pressure the quarterback. He is nationally recognized as one of the top pass rushing linebackers in college football.

Defensive end Charles Tapper also brings a frightening presence to opposing quarterbacks. Tapper saw a breakout season last year with 49 tackles, including 5.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. He was voted first-team All-Big 12 by league coaches and has been mentioned on several preseason watch lists. Tapper possesses great speed for the position, which was displayed in Oklahoma’s Sugar Bowl win over Alabama when he chased down wide receiver Amari Cooper.

Geneo Grissom failed to live up to high expectations early in his collegiate career. In 2010, Grissom spent his first season injured and redshirted and followed up the 2011 season as the third-team defensive end. In 2012, Grissom was moved to tight end before eventually switching back to defensive end by midseason after failing to make an impact on offense. After seeing improvement as an undersized defensive lineman in the 3-4 defense, Grissom is now a star at outside linebacker. He is a versatile player that can be used in a lot of different ways and has the frame to be a solid pass rushing outside linebacker at the professional level.

The Sooners will bring pressure throughout Saturday’s contest. The defense is talented enough to avoid being exploited on blitz packages with a solid secondary playing behind the front seven. For Worley, it will be a tough matchup playing behind an offensive line with limited experience that is without starting left tackle Jacob Gilliam (torn ACL). Worley has a history with injuries and should avoid taking sacks at any cost. The matchup heavily favors Oklahoma unless Worley’s offensive line can provide solid blocking and give him time to find open receivers.