KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee football is now eliminated from College Football Playoff contention.

The Vols suffered a 33-27 loss to Oklahoma — their third loss of the season. No. 14 Tennessee (6-3, 3-3 SEC) will still be headed to a bowl game, but the defeat to the No. 18 Sooners (7-2, 3-2) means missing their postseason goal.

"This group has competed, continued to try to get better every day," Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said after the loss. "Expect and demand that as we get going here on the back end of the season.”

The main reason for the loss was Tennessee's three key turnovers, all committed by Joey Aguilar. The Vols quarterback fumbled once and threw two interceptions in the first half that let Oklahoma get momentum.

"The turnovers, uncharacteristic," Heupel said. "They turned them into points, and that’s a double whammy right there."

One of Tennessee's best offensive drives was its first. After Aguilar recovered his own fumble, he began to make consistent passes down the field. A touchdown throw to Miles Kitselman was called back due to an illegal formation penalty, but Aguilar gave he Vols an early lead by finding Braylon Staley open in the end zone.

Tennessee's next drive went wrong when Aguilar coughed up the ball a second time. On this occasion, R Mason Thomas recovered it and returned it 71 yards, stiff arming Kitselman to the turf for an Oklahoma touchdown that tied the game.

The Vols responded with a Max Gilbert field goal and forced Oklahoma to go three-and-out. Tennessee set up another opportunity for Gilbert to extend the advantage, but he missed from 37 yards out.

Oklahoma kicker Tate Sandell converted from 55 to bring the scores level again. Peyton Bowen picked off Aguilar on Tennessee's next drive, and the Oklahoma defensive back's return let Sandell give the Sooners the lead with a 51-yard kick that just barely cleared the crossbar.

With 64 seconds left in the first half, Tennessee's offense tried to generate more points. Instead, another interception from Aguilar's hand, this time caught by Robert Spears-Jennings. As the clock wound to halftime, Sandell added three more points for a 16-10 Oklahoma lead into the break.

The Vols defense got a stop out of halftime, and Staley bounced off Oklahoma defenders for a 54-yard touchdown catch to put the Vols back in the lead. The Sooners put together a solid drive late in the third quarter to retake the lead on a Xavier Robinson carry into the end zone.

A three-and-out set Oklahoma up for another drive that ended in a made field goal. Tennessee had a chance at points, but Jack Van Dorselaer dropped a fourth-and-one pass to give the ball back to the Sooners.

"We got to squeeze it a little bit and let him get his head around," Heupel said. "We just got to make a play. I can’t tell you right now, but we had a chance there.”

An Oklahoma interception gave the Vols life again, and Aguilar led Tennessee down the field. Mike Matthews caught a touchdown pass to put the Vols within two points, but they needed an onside kick recovery.

It didn't come, and Oklahoma scored another touchdown. The Vols got a consolation field goal and failed another onside kick attempt before Oklahoma took off the rest of the clock.

Tennessee has a bye week before a non-conference matchup with New Mexico State. The Vols close out the season with a trip to Florida and a home rivalry bout against Vanderbilt.

The expression on the faces exiting Neyland Stadium wasn't one of excitement. It was one of resignation to the fact that it is now basketball time in Tennessee.