Tennessee vs. Oklahoma Week 4 Preview: Important players, predictions and history
The No. 6 Tennessee Volunteers travel to Norman, Oklahoma, on Saturday to take on the No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners in a Week 4 matchup. The Volunteers enter the matchup with a 3-0 record, coming off an impressive 71-0 win over Kent State in Week 3.
The Sooners are also coming into Week 4 with a 3-0 record, fresh off a 34-19 win over Tulane in Week 3. Here's a preview of this highly anticipated Week 4 matchup, with predictions, key players and the head-to-head history between Tennessee and Oklahoma.
Tennessee vs. Oklahoma: Predictions
This Week 4 matchup is one of three clashes between AP Top 25 teams and will feature plenty of talent. Despite going on the road, the Volunteers open the week as a seven-point favorite.
Oklahoma has looked impressive in their first three games, but Tennessee's offense looks to be on another level. The Sooners struggled at times during their last two matchups, squeaking by Houston in Week 2 with a 16-12 win.
With Nico Iamaleava leading one of the most high-powered offenses in the country, we take the Volunteers over the Sooners by the touchdown they've been given by sportsbooks.
Tennesee Volunteers Important Players
Nico Iamaleava, QB
Iamaleava has played up to his ranking as the No. 2 recruit in the country in the 2023 class in his first season as a starter.
Through three games, he has completed 71.6% of his passes for 698 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions. In the star quarterback's first big test of his collegiate career, Iamaleava will look to show he deserves the hype on the biggest stage.
Dylan Sampson, RB
Through three games this season, few running backs in college football have looked as good as Sampson.
In three games, he has notched 45 carries for 357 yards and nine touchdowns. Sampson is tied for the FBS lead in rushing touchdowns and has averaged an eye-popping 7.9 yards per carry. Expect the Volunteers offense to continue to lean on their star running back.
Oklahoma Sooners Important Players
Jackson Arnold, QB
Arnold has been the true X-factor for Oklahoma's offense, leading the team in rushing through three games.
In three games this season, he has notched nine total touchdowns, throwing for 484 yards and rushing for 159 yards. Arnold's dual-threat ability should help Oklahoma's offense on crucial downs.
R Mason Thomas, DE
Coming off a three-sack game versus Tulane, Mason Thomas will look to continue his hot-streak versus Tennesee in Week 4.
In three games this season, Mason has posted seven tackles with four tackles for loss, along with his three sacks on the season. He will look to lead the Oklahoma pass-rush versus the Volunteers.
Tennessee vs. Oklahoma: Head-to-head
Despite each school's history and lengthy success, this is surprisingly only the fifth time Oklahoma and Tennesee have met in a head-to-head setting.
The Sooners have claimed three-straight wins in the series, topping the Volunteeers in 1968, 2014 and 2015. Tennessee's lone win came in the series' first matchup, all the way back in 1939.