By: NATE DEVILLE

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Four College Football Playoff elimination games will face Tennessee in the month of November.

The first will be a significant challenge.

The Volunteers (6-2, 3-2 in Southeastern Conference), ranked 14th in the country, will have a battle with No. 18 Oklahoma (6-2, 3-2) in a prime time matchup Saturday (7:30 p.m., ABC) at Neyland Stadium.

It's "Dark Mode," so it must be important.

Acknowledging the stakes of this conference clash, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel spoke to the importance of the home Vols crowd.

“[We are] excited to be back in Neyland to see our fans," he said. "'Dark Mode.' Need the Neyland effect to be a huge part of this game.”  

The Volunteers will don fan favorite "Dark Mode" alternate uniforms against the Sooners on Saturday.  

These black-based uniforms, accompanied by impressive social media rollouts, once a season, have been somewhat of a good luck charm for Tennessee. Having won three straight games (4-1 overall), while in "Dark Mode," the Vols will look to continue their streak against a talented Oklahoma team led by QB John Mateer. 

In his first season with the Sooners, the junior transfer from Washington State has thrown for 1,790 yards and eight touchdowns. Mateer also poses a threat in the run game, with totals of 78 carries, 226 yards and five TDs. 

“[Their] quarterback is a playmaker. He extends plays when the initial reads aren't there… you got to apply pressure to him, but you got to try to find a way to keep him bottled up too,” Heupel said of Mateer’s abilities. 

Tennessee is coming off a defensive nightmare against Kentucky. Despite winning 56-34, the Vols allowed  330 passing yards, 476 total yards and registered just one sack. Mateer was sacked three times in a 34-26 loss to Ole Miss. He is just over a month removed from having surgery to repair a broken bone in his throwing hand.

Heupel is all too familiar with the Volunteers upcoming opponent, having played one season at Oklahoma, where he won various awards and a national championship as the team’s quarterback in 2001.  

Heupel also held the position of offensive coordinator at his alma mater from 2011-2014 before being let go from the staff.

In his coaching return to Norman last season, Heupel led the Vols to a 25-15 victory over the Sooners.