In preparation for Saturday’s matchup between Tennessee and No. 4 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.

Tennessee’s rushing attack has seen its ups and downs this season. Jalen Hurd saw a breakout performance last week with 83 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries against Arkansas State. Hurd was named SEC Freshman of the Week, the first Tennessee back to receive the honor since Arian Foster in 2005. Marlin Lane has also fared well with 95 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.

However, Tennessee is averaging just 3.31 yards per carry as a team. Head coach Butch Jones considers an efficient run as “over four yards or the distance to earn a first down”. The Vols totaled a 3.73 average in Week 2, an improvement from 2.82 in the season opener. Tennessee’s offensive line is also a factor in the varying rushing stats. Entering 2014, Tennessee returned zero starters from the previous season. The Vols lineman looked significantly better in pass protection than on run plays in Week 1, but improved last week, opening more holes for rushing plays.

Oklahoma boasts one of the most talented linebacking corps in the nation, beginning with outside linebacker Eric Striker. Coming off a career-high eight tackles against Tulsa, Striker is one of the most feared pass rushers in the country. 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 when he can come off the edge and is a threat to expose plays in the backfield.

After struggling to find a role as an undersized defensive lineman in Oklahoma’s 3-4 defense, Geneo 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 player at the professional level. Grissom has eight tackles and provided Oklahoma’s top defensive highlight with a 38-yard interception return last week against Tulsa.

Right inside linebacker Dominique Alexander has plenty of experience in just his second season. As a true freshman, Alexander started in eight games and recorded 80 tackles and forced two fumbles. Left inside linebacker Jordan Evans made eight appearances as a freshman in 2013, but didn’t start until this season’s opening game.

The matchup will be a tough one for Tennessee. Hurd has shined as the featured back in Tennessee’s offense, but has yet to face a defense the caliber of Oklahoma during his first two games. This will be a great opportunity for the young running back to gain experience and make an impact against a top-tier opponent. However, the Sooners hold a steady advantage in the matchup and should prove to be too much for Tennessee’s backs.