College football games, Week 4: Oklahoma defense vs. Tennessee offense takes center stage in SEC showdown

Ain’t played nobody. 

Excuse the poor grammar, but those three words have to be considered when evaluating No. 6 Tennessee this week as the Volunteers travel to No. 15 Oklahoma. Star quarterback Nico Iamaleava and his teammates are one of the best stories of the season so far. The Vols’ point differential through three games (178) is the largest since 2013. 

Throw in last season’s Citrus Bowl win over Iowa, and Tennessee has outscored the opposition 226-13 in the last four games. 

But before going all in, it’s worth pointing out the Vols have yet to be tested — at least not much. The three wins have come against Chattanooga, an underachieving NC State and a Kent State team coming off a loss to FCS to St. Francis (Pa.). 

Offensively, Tennessee may have the most weapons in the game. Iamaleava has completed more than 70% of his passes. Dylan Sampson is tied for the national lead in rushing touchdowns (nine). The receivers scrape the ceiling. Counting tight end Ethan Davis, three of the four pass catchers stand at least 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds. 

Do not underestimate Brent Venables’ defense in this clash, however. His ability to scheme up solutions against SEC opponents is basically why he was hired away from his defensive coordinator post at Clemson. Oklahoma’s coach is 7-1 against SEC opponents going to back to 2018. You can throw out Clemson’s 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship loss to LSU (42-25) because everybody got scorched by the Tigers that year. In the other seven SEC games, Venables’ defenses have given up an average of 14 points.

Tennessee has gone 16 straight quarters without allowing an offensive touchdown, tied with Georgia for the national lead. There are going to be Oklahoma touchdowns — plural — on…

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Author : Dennis Dodd

Publish date : 2024-09-19 15:38:03

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