If you’re betting on Tennessee’s underclassmen having an impact against Oklahoma, take the over no matter the line.

The Vols are set to open up SEC play in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, meaning it will be a huge test for several key players that have yet to reach even junior status. There’s redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava at the forefront of the youth movement, but he’s just one of many that don’t yet have a full beard. 

Tennessee, by design, has aged its younger players. The “young” Vols on the field aren’t as young as most considering they have already played as starters in three games while most everyone on the bench has been able to see the field in three blowout games this season.

“We’ve been able to play a lot more guys than we have at any point,” Heupel said. “A big part of that is our roster. The opportunity that every young player gets, they are only going to grow that much more quickly with those experiences on game day. 

“Practice is awesome and it matters, but those game day experiences matter too, to understand what it looks like, what it feels like and where you have to continue to grow. So, it has been really important to us here in the first three weeks. The depth of our roster and the experiences that they have is really important as you get into conference play.”

Several young Vols have already established themselves and done so at key positions. Coming into the season, the Vols’ secondary was a concern as was Tennessee’s depth at tailback. DeSean Bishop has taken care of the latter.

Bishop’s whopping 10.1 yards per carry leads the Vols as he’s toted the mail 22 for 224 yards and two touchdowns. He has also caught a pass for 10 yards and been lauded by his teammates for his pass protection, despite being a redshirt freshman.

“Another young guy that just continues to get better,” Heupel said of Bishop, the walk-on who many doubted coming into the season. “I thought he did a great job hitting the hole and making the third level (secondary) miss when he got into space. Got under his pads when he needed to. He’s taken a step every single week as well and our staff has a lot of trust in him. 

“That’s a guy that we saw flashes in last year, then he hurts his ankle in training camp and misses the majority of the season. It’s been fun to see him just grow through that experience, become really mature in how he handles himself in and outside of the building.”

Of course, Tennessee will rely on starting running back Dylan Sampson, but his backup is just a snap away. That role would likely be taken on by freshman Peyton Lewis or sophomore Cameron Seldon if Bishop wasn’t available at some point this season. Lewis seems to have the edge over Seldon for now.

“We do trust Peyton,” Heupel said. “Peyton has gotten better every single week. Coming off of the injury, getting the opportunity to grow on the field during training camp. He has gotten better every day and he has gotten better every week during the course of the season. I love what he is doing as a young player.”

It’s one thing to depend on a young player at running back. It’s quite another to depend on a young player at cornerback, a position in which one bust can equal a big play for Oklahoma. Heupel said he’s pleased with sophomores Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III after three games this season.

“Those guys are playing really good football,” Heupel said. “They’re playing with fundamentals and technique, but they’re understanding the concept of what they’re seeing on the offensive side of the football, being able to play with anticipation of what they might see and playing really good football.”

Of course, exciting play amongst young players is great. However, those players probably wouldn’t be nearly as successful if not for the upperclassmen leading them. At the same time, Heupel complimented his young players for being leaders as well.

“We have really strong leadership,” Heupel said. “It’s not just the veteran guys…As a player, man, you better enjoy the win Saturday night and enjoy it on Sunday too, but Monday is getting back to reality and understanding how you have to grow and understanding you are only as good as your next one as a competitor. This group has been really mature that way. Certainly, the opponent that we have this week will capture everybody’s attention.”

Betting on the young Vols in the Oklahoma game seems like a sound wager. Heupel has already doubled down.