Well, just how fun were the first three games to begin the 2024 Tennessee Football season? Did you ever imagine the Vols would win those three games by a cumulative score of 191-13 with the Tennessee defense not giving up a single touchdown?
Actually, Tennessee hasn’t had a touchdown scored on the defense in sixteen quarters dating back to the last regular season game in 2023. Did you believe the Vols had any chance of going into Charlotte and defeating a Top 25 ranked NC State by 41 points? Did you have any idea that both the Tennessee offense and defense would be ranked 2nd nationally three games into the season. Geez, that was fun!
And now here we go, Big Boy football starts for 6/7 ranked Tennessee Saturday night in Norman. Nico says he prefers away games. Well here you go Mr Iamaleava, Norman, Oklahoma is anxiously awaiting your visit Saturday night and will very loudly welcome you to your first true road game as the starting quarterback for the Vols. We Vol fans are all looking forward to your first true road test and certainly hope it is a very enjoyable experience for you and your teammates.
Of course the storyline all week is going to be the return of Josh Heupel back to where he won a national championship as the quarterback of the 2000 Sooners. He then went on to spend nine years on the Oklahoma coaching staff, 2006-14, including 4 years as the Offensive Coordinator. Heupel was the Sooners OC when Tennessee last visited Norman in 2014.
I made the trip to Norman in 2014 and with the exception of the game outcome, it was a fun road trip. The Sooner fans were a friendly bunch which is a lot easier to do when your team wins 34-10. That was the first game that I ever saw a 100 yard pick six, thrown by an unnamed Tennessee quarterback, just as it looked like the Vols might score and make it a 4th quarter game.
That was then and this is now. A completely different Tennessee Football program led by the former Sooner Josh Heupel is going into Norman Saturday as a 7 1/2 point favorite. For a SEC road game, that is a very significant line for the road team to be favored by. As previously noted, the Vols will be going in with both the 2nd ranked offense and defense nationally scoring at a 64 points per game clip while only giving up 4 points and allowing -0- touchdowns.
Will those ridiculous stats do anything for the Vols Saturday night? Not one bit unless the Vols can back them up by showing they can do it with the Big Boys. The Big Boys will be waiting in Norman Saturday night and I’m anxiously awaiting the game to see just how well the Vols can play with the Big Boys in their backyard.
Strap those chin straps tight Vols, you’re in for a Saturday night fight in Boomer Sooner land!!
