Saturday in Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium is a historic day in Oklahoma football history. The storylines are plentiful, yet in the buildup to this game, some are losing sight of what matters most: the game itself.
Get ready for a top-25 showdown that’s set to ignite the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers will clash with the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners, marking the kickoff of OU’s first SEC conference tilt. It’s a game that’s been circled on the calendar since conference schedules were announced.
Tennessee looks like the more complete team, with an explosive offense led by former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava. It has also played some stout defense and looks like a real threat to make some noise in the SEC and secure a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Oklahoma has not seen a team like this since they took on Texas last year in the Red River Rivalry. As life in the SEC would have it, this is going to be a more regular occurrence to play teams of this magnitude and skill level.
Tennessee, led by Josh Heupel, the last quarterback to lead OU to a national title, has a really dynamic team. We’ve done some digging, and here are five Volunteers to know ahead of this crucial matchup.
Nico Iamaleava, QB
Oklahoma Sooners fans aren’t the only SEC fanbase adapting to life with a former five-star prospect at the quarterback position. Tennessee is doing the same as Nico Iamaleava is settling into his starting quarterback role. The media coverage around the two is very different, even if both have exactly the same number of college starts.
Iamaleava is a terrific prospect. He has size, arm talent, and a cool disposition, and he has settled into Josh Heupel’s offense.
He’s been much closer to a game manager than a game changer this year for his team, but like Arnold, that’s okay. Both are still very green between the ears as collegiate quarterbacks, and neither should be depended on to carry their respective offenses.
He’s unafraid to rip a ball in a tight window and isn’t afraid to stand in the pocket to do so. At this juncture, due to a more stable offensive line situation, a better running game, and health with his receiving core.
With the exception of Iowa, Nico Iamaleava has yet to face a defense as formidable as Oklahoma‘s. Zac Alley and the rest of the Sooners’ defense will try to test his confidence by putting him under pressure with aggressive blitzing. This will be a crucial test for Iamaleava and his ability to handle such situations.
James Pearce Jr., EDGE
Defensively, Tennessee is led by a soon-to-be first-round draft pick in James Pearce Jr. You will need help finding ten players better than Pearce that Oklahoma will face this season. Pearce claimed the No. 1 spot on ESPN’s list of the top 100 players in college football this summer.
Pearce, a first-team All-SEC selection last season, was a relentless force, ranking fifth in the nation with 38 total pressures. His edge play is monstrous, and for a team that has struggled with offensive line cohesion and health, Saturday will be a true test for Bill Bedenbaugh’s unit. The pressure isn’t just on the tackles. It will also require effort from the guards, center, tight ends, and running backs.
His ability to bend and his long arms make him a nightmare to handle.
He has yet to appear in any box scores, but you better believe if Oklahoma is to be successful on offense, it will be because they were able to contain Pearce.
Cooper Mays, C
Cooper Mays means everything to this Tennessee offensive line. He’s their leader and part of the engine that makes this whole offense go. He needs to be highlighted because if he can help move Oklahoma’s stout defensive line, Tennessee will have a field day running the ball.
Mays is a veteran player, too, who has played a number of road games. His experience helping Iamaleava at the line with checks, modules, and protections could counter Oklahoma’s home-field advantage.
Damonic Williams, Da’Jon Terry (a former volunteer), and freshman Jayden Jackson will have their hands full against Mays. However, if they can win their share of battles and get Tennessee off schedule, it’ll force Iamaleava into obvious passing downs against a terrific secondary.
Arion Carter, LB
Arion Carter is another defensive name to know for the Vols. The Tennessee staff is extremely high on him, and this year, the sophomore took a step into a starting role alongside senior Keenan Pili.
Carter is much closer to the modern linebackers because he can flat-out run. Carter is a sideline-to-sideline player, and he could wreck things in the run game if given the opportunity. It will be fascinating to see how offensive coordinator Seth Littrell uses play-action and pulling linemen to test the young linebacker and his eye discipline.
Chris Brazzell, WR
Chris Brazzell is a wide receiver to know for Tennessee. Brazell transferred to Knoxville after posting 44 catches for 711 yards and five touchdowns as a redshirt freshman at Tulane last year.
This season, he has ten catches for 140 yards and a touchdown. Brazzell has the potential to outathlete his opponents. His height makes him an easy target for his quarterback, and he’s developed into a potent weapon this season.
Dez Malone and Kani Walker will have their hands full dealing with him.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 5 Volunteers to know ahead of Oklahoma vs. Tennessee
