(This article has been updated with new information.)
NORMAN – The last time OU and Tennessee faced each other, it was a classic.
In 2015, the Sooners trailed 17-3 after three quarters before Baker Mayfield worked the magic he became known for, scoring a touchdown to Sterling Shepard in the final minute of regulation and then again in the second overtime to tie the game.
“The atmosphere was just incredible,” former Sooners cornerback Zack Sanchez said this week.
Sanchez’s interception ended the game.
When OU and Tennessee face off on Saturday, the teams will look very different.
Watch Oklahoma vs. Tennessee live with Fubo (free trial)
Josh Heupel, the last OU quarterback to win a national title, is the head coach of the Volunteers. Former OU quarterback Joey Halzle is Heupel’s quarterback coach/offensive coordinator.
The Sooners will also play their first SEC game on Saturday.
“This creates a lot of extra excitement,” said Sanchez. “Something will be shown on Saturday.”
“I have complete confidence in our guys and I think the defense will show the nation how good we are.”
More: Greg Sankey’s first OU football game day “felt like a Saturday night in the SEC”
OU vs. Tennessee Score Updates
This section will be updated when the game starts.
| 🨀 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| TENNESSEE | – | – | – | – | — | – |
| OKLAHOMA | – | – | – | – | — | – |
More: Who has the edge in OU football against Tennessee? Analysis of the most important duels Sooners-Volunteers
The Sooners defense has passed its first test.
After the offense lost the ball on one down, OU’s defense managed a three-and-out.
Robert Spears-Jennings and Peyton Bowen stopped Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson on third down at the line of scrimmage and forced the Volunteers to punt.
—Ryan Aber, Editor
OU seemed to have got off to a monster start.
On the third play of the game, Tennessee Volunteers defensive end James Pearce Jr. was fouled and Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold responded by throwing what appeared to be a 76-yard touchdown pass to Brenen Thompson.
But the referees stopped the play. Although Pearce received a penalty, contact occurred between Tennessee’s cornerback and an OU receiver, resulting in a dead ball penalty.
On the next play, the Sooners got a first down with an 18-yard pass to Deion Burks, but then the drive stalled.
Brent Venables went for a fourth and two attempt on the halfway line, but Arnold’s pass was incomplete, giving the Volunteers the ball.
—Ryan Aber, Editor
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel was honored Saturday night before the game against OU at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
“Welcome back, Josh Heupel,” read the video board, along with a picture of Heupel after he led the Sooners to a national championship victory over Florida State at the end of the 2000 season.
There was also a live video of Heupel warming up.
Heupel’s heart was pounding as he was greeted over the loudspeaker system and received thunderous applause from the audience.
—Ryan Aber, Editor
If pregame warmups are any indication, Branson Hickman appears ready to return as OU’s center.
Hickman and fellow offensive lineman Jake Taylor were listed as game-time decisions in the SEC’s final pregame availability report, but Taylor primarily watched warmups.
However, Hickman worked with the starting offensive line with Heath Ozaeta and Febechi Nwaiwu as guards and Jacob Sexton and Michael Tarquin at the tackle positions.
Wide receiver Nic Anderson appears ready for his season debut after missing the first three games due to injury.
Cheetah Kendel Dolby, who missed last week’s game, also seems ready to return to the starting lineup.
—Ryan Aber, Editor
OU vs. Tennessee Time Today
- Date: Saturday, September 21
- Time: 18:30
- Location: Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
What channel is the Oklahoma vs Tennessee game on today?
The Sooners and Volunteers will face off in a game that will be televised by ABC. Chris Fowler (live commentary) and Kirk Herbstreit (commentator) will provide commentary from the locker room, while Holly Rowe will serve as sideline reporter.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, ESPN+ and Fubo, with the latter offering a free trial to potential subscribers.
More: For Josh Heupel, being released from OU football was the beginning of his rise to Tennessee | Mussatto
OU vs. Tennessee History
- Series record: OU leads, 3-1
- OU’s last win: September 12, 2015 (31-24 2OT)
- Tennessee’s last victory: 2 January 1938 (17-0)
OU vs Tennessee Predictions
Ryan Aber, OU sports writer
Tennessee 31, OU 27
DOING JUSTICE TO THE HAY
The Sooners keep up with the Vols until the end, but Josh Heupel’s offense is too strong in the end and Tennessee takes the win. OU’s defense is strong at times, but Nico Iamaleava and the Vols offense are too strong.
Joe Mussatto, columnist
Tennessee 27, OU 21
VOLUNTEER HOURS
Tennessee spoils OU’s SEC debut. Josh Heupel gets a win in his return to Norman.
Colton Sulley, OU sportswriter
Tennessee 38, OU 35
MEANS MORE
This is why OU joined the SEC, as these types of matchups are at home. Sooners fans are going all out and making the road game pretty tough for Tennessee. Jackson Arnold is looking good and the Sooners are hanging in there, but Tennessee’s offense is on fire.
More: OU Football vs. Tennessee Score Prediction for Sooners-Volunteers in Week 4 SEC Game
OU vs Tennessee Betting Odds
BetMGM’s lines and odds for Saturday:
- Spread: Tennessee with 6.5
- Over/Under: 57.5
- Money line: Tennessee -250, Oklahoma +200
More: Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux matches Danny Stutsman’s $50,000 donation to OU teammates
Injury updates for OU vs. Tennessee
The Sooners hope to have wide receiver Nic Anderson available for the first time this season. Anderson, who suited up last week but did not play, is listed as probable on the SEC’s availability report. Wide receiver Andrel Anthony, Cheetah Kendel Dolby, tight end Kade McIntyre and offensive lineman Troy Everett are also listed as probable. Offensive lineman Branson Hickman and Jake Taylor are listed as questionable, while Gentry Williams and Dasan McCullough are among the Sooners listed as out.
Tennessee’s most serious injury involves left tackle Lance Heard, who is considered out after missing last week’s game.
OU vs. Tennessee weather update
Temperatures are expected to be around 94 degrees at kickoff, with winds around 10 miles per hour from the south. There is no chance of precipitation, according to the National Weather Service.
OU 2024 Schedule
Here’s a look at the Sooners’ full 2024 schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:
All times Central.
- Friday, August 30th: against Temple (win, 51-3)
- Saturday, September 7: against Houston (S, 16-12
- Saturday, September 14th: against Tulane (W, 34-19)
- Saturday, September 21st: vs. No. 7 Tennessee* | 6:30 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)
- Saturday, September 28th: in Auburn*
- Saturday, October 5: BYE
- Saturday, October 12th: vs. No. 2 Texas* (Dallas) | 2:30 p.m.
- Saturday, October 19: against South Carolina*
- Saturday, October 26: at No. 5 Ole Miss*
- Saturday, November 2nd: vs. Maine | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+, SEC Network+
- Saturday, November 9th: at No. 8 Missouri*
- Saturday, November 16: BYE
- Saturday, November 23rd: against No. 4 Alabama*
- Saturday, November 30th: at No. 16 LSU* Denotes SEC game
* Denotes SEC game
Tennessee 2024 Schedule
Here’s a look at the Volunteers’ full 2024 schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:
All times Central.
- Saturday, August 31: Chattanooga (win, 69-3)
- Saturday, September 7: against NC State (W, 51-10)
- Saturday, September 14: against Kent State (W, 71-0)
- Saturday, September 21: at No. 13 Oklahoma* | 6:30 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)
- Saturday, October 5: in Arkansas*
- Saturday, October 12: against Florida*
- Saturday, October 19: against No. 4 Alabama*
- Saturday, November 2: against Kentucky*
- Saturday, November 9: against Mississippi State*
- Saturday, 16 November: at No. 1 Georgia*
- Saturday, 23 November: UTEP | lunch | ESPN+, SEC Network+
- Saturday, November 30: at Vanderbilt *
* Denotes SEC game
OU Football News
What is Josh Heupel’s legacy at OU football? Tennessee coach rekindles ‘Sooner Magic’
For Josh Heupel, being released from OU football was the beginning of his rise to Tennessee | Mussatto
Greg Sankey’s first OU football game day “felt like a Saturday night in the SEC”
Who has the edge in OU football against Tennessee? Analysis of the most important duels Sooners-Volunteers
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