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The Tennessee Volunteers travel to Norman, OK., to take on the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners. Both teams enter with a 2-0 record and high expectations moving forward.
Oklahoma looks to contend as a national powerhouse. Tennessee is in the rebuilding stages and looks to make its first bowl game appearance since 2010.
Tennessee’s young offensive line will match up against a talented Oklahoma pass rush that includes linebacker Eric Striker and defensive end Charles Trapper. The Vols offensive line returns zero starters from 2013 and are without starting left tackle Jacob Gilliam, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 1.
Tennessee will be without the services of JUCO transfer Von Pearson. Pearson suffered a high ankle sprain during a Week 2 win over Arkansas State. Starting tight end Ethan Wolf is questionable with a bruised knee.
Oklahoma fields a talented offensive lineup that includes dual-threat quarterback Trevor Knight and playmaking wide receiver Sterling Shepard. The duo has already connected for 226 yards, two touchdowns and 12 receptions in 2014.
Tennessee will counter with a talented young defense looking to send a message in a nationally televised game. A.J. Johnson is the heart and soul of Tennessee’s “Orange Swarm” defense. The junior opted to return for his final season in hope of experiencing his first career bowl game appearance. Against Oklahoma, he will need to have yet another standout game against the elusive Knight.
Below is Morgan Moriarty and Jason Hall’s video breakdown of Saturday’s primetime matchup:
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
