How to Watch: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Tennessee Volunteers

Date: Saturday, Nov 1, 2025

Time: 6:30 p.m. CT

Location: Knoxville, Tenn.

Site: Neyland Stadium

TV: ABC

Live Stream: ESPN App

Broadcasters: Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, Holly Rowe

Radio: Sooner Sports Network (KRXO 107.7 FM, The Varsity Network, SiriusXM 84)

Series History: Oklahoma leads 3-2

Last Meeting: Tennessee W, 25-15 (9/21/2024 in Norman)

Records: Oklahoma (6-2, 2-2 SEC), Tennessee (6-1, 3-2 SEC)

Odds: Tennessee -3.5, O/U 56.5

Rankings: Oklahoma (No. 18 AP, No. 18 Coaches), Tennessee (No. 14 AP, No. 14 Coaches)

No. 1: Can the Sooners establish an offensive identity?

It feels like you’re watching a different Oklahoma team every single week. The Sooners had early success with John Mateer leading the passing attack, and didn’t really run the ball much with their running backs in the first few weeks of the season. Since coming back from injury, Mateer clearly hasn’t looked the same, struggling to establish himself throwing the football. The run game has improved and has been week-to-week, going back and forth between Tory Blaylock and Xavier Robinson leading the way. So far, the Sooners can’t seem to find a balanced day where the passing game clicks with Mateer, while the rushing attack hums with either Blaylock or Robinson. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle has to find a way to strike a happy medium and make them both work in sync.

No. 2: Will Oklahoma’s defense be able to force Joey Aguilar into throwing interceptions?

By now, you are probably well-aware that Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar led the FBS in interceptions thrown last season with 14 while he was at Appalachian State. So far this year, Aguilar has slowed down from that pace, but has still thrown six interceptions in the first seven games. He’s had two multiple-interception games this season, and they each pushed contests into overtime (44-41 L vs. Georgia, 41-34 W vs. Mississippi State). As good as the Sooners’ defense has been this season, forcing interceptions hasn’t been their specialty—they’ve managed just three picks. Those have come from three different defenders with one each: Taylor Wein, Jaydan Hardy, and Jacobe Johnson.

No. 3: Just how bad is Tennessee’s defense really? 

The Volunteers’ defense is currently ranked 113th in the FBS in points allowed, surrendering 30.9 per game. On paper, that screams opportunity for the Sooners’ offense to exploit, creating big chances for Mateer to shine. However, last week Oklahoma faced an average defense in Ole Miss and still started slow, digging themselves into a 22-10 halftime hole. In each of Tennessee’s losses this season, they’ve given up at least 35 points. If the Sooners’ offense can hit 35 or more, they guarantee victory.

Prediction: Sooners 38-31

This is a must-win game for both teams to keep their playoff hopes alive. I don’t fully trust either squad, but despite the home-field edge, Tennessee has more glaring issues on paper than Oklahoma. The Volunteers’ defense is likely to struggle getting stops, while Aguilar faces his toughest defensive test of the year. This game should turn into a shootout, with Mateer making enough plays for the Sooners to rally in the fourth quarter.