Tennessee vs. Oklahoma: How the Sooners Can Avoid Being Upset

The Oklahoma Sooners may be the favorites when they host the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday (8 p.m. ET on ABC), but college football doesn’t always stick to the plan.

Coming in as 21-point favorites, the Sooners appear poised to run away with this one. However, don’t tell that to the Vols, who are looking to solidify their rise back to respectability this Saturday.

Here’s how Oklahoma can avoid the upset.

Bully That Young Offensive Line

BRODY SCHMIDT/Associated Press/Associated Press

If the Vols have a major deficiency, it would be the inexperience of the offensive line.

Thus far, the unit has struggled to assert itself, and the rushing attack has suffered. Through two games, Tennessee ranks No. 90 in rushing (139 YPG) while only averaging 3.3 yards per carry.

You’ve got to believe the Sooners' defensive line is currently licking its chops.

While the Vols may struggle to run the ball, Oklahoma has had no issue stopping it. Arguably one of the best front sevens in the nation, the unit is allowing just 74 rushing yards per game on a meager 2.3 yards per carry.

As Volquest.com notes, even Tennessee head coach Butch Jones understands the difficulties at hand:

Playing a ranked opponent on the road, Tennessee would love to be able to establish the run game early. Making sure the team is unsuccessful will be a priority for the Sooners’ defensive line.

If the unit can do that, the Vols will be forced to play right into Oklahoma’s hands.

Don’t Let Tennessee Hang Around

Most upsets in college football follow a similar formula.

First, the underdog makes enough plays to remain in the game by halftime. Second, the underdog finds a rush of momentum that helps propel it to the unlikely upset.

This is a scenario the Sooners must stomp out quickly.

Over the last four years, Tennessee has faced six Top Five opponents. In four of those games, the team has managed to remain within two scores by halftime:

Year	Team	Halftime Score	Final Score
2011	No. 1 LSU	Down 17-7	L 38-7
2011	No. 2 Alabama	Tied 6-6	L 37-6
2012	No. 5 Georgia	Tied 30-30	L 51-44
2012	No. 1 Alabama	Down 23-10	L 44-13
2013	No. 2 Oregon	Down 38-7	L 59-14
2013	No. 1 Alabama	Down 35-0	L 45-10

Sure, the Vols wound up getting crushed in all but one of those games. However, all streaks eventually come to an end.

Oklahoma doesn’t want to be the one to break it.

Keep Marquez North in Check

There’s no doubt that Tennessee’s passing attack has been surprisingly better than a year ago. A big reason for that is the play of wide receiver Marquez North.

Through two games, the sophomore has hauled in eight catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Both scores came just last weekend.

North’s importance will only grow with the news that second-leading receiver Von Pearson will miss Saturday’s game, per The Associated Press:

If anyone can handle the pressure, it’s North.

Only a freshman last year, North made some key plays in big games, including a 39-yard reception late in the fourth quarter to help the Vols upset then-No. 11 South Carolina. He finished with three receptions for 102 yards in that game.

Given North’s penchant for big plays, it’s imperative that the Sooners' secondary shuts him down.

All stats and betting information used in this article are courtesy of cfbstats.com and Odds Shark.

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