Oklahoma at Tennessee – Odds, Picks & Expert Tips

A promising season has turned sour for the Oklahoma Sooners, who have lost two of three games following last week’s 34-26 home loss to Ole Miss. The defense allowed 431 yards and a season-high point total against the Rebels and now they face another explosive offense in the Tennessee Volunteers. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 1 from Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN with television coverage provided by ABC.

Oklahoma at Tennessee Preview

Entering last week’s game the Sooners led the nation in total defense and had the second-best scoring defense. They surrendered season-highs of 431 total yards and 34 points in the loss to Ole Miss providing opponents with a blueprint for success against them. They also cashed the OVER for the first time. In their two losses OU has surrendered a total of 57 points while holding each of their other six opponents to 17 points or less.

The offense is good but not good enough to make up for defensive lapses. They are 11th in the SEC averaging 28.4 points per game and it appears as though John Mateer is still bothered by the hand injury that forced him to miss a game. In three games since returning he’s completed less than 58 percent of his passes with two TDs and three interceptions.

OU lost outright to Mississippi as a 5.5-point favorite on the college football odds and is 1-3 ATS in its last four games.
The lack of a ground game has hindered the effectiveness of the offense. The Sooners are 115th in the country averaging 113.1 rushing yards per game.
Despite last week’s breakdown the Sooners still rank 6th in total defense and 5th in scoring defense nationally.
Led by R. Mason Thomas with 5.5, OU has the second-most sacks in the FBS with 29.

Unlike OU, Tennessee’s defense has been a concern all season. The group has yielded at least 24 points to every FBS team and has allowed an average of 36 points to five SEC opponents. An inconsistent Kentucky offense amassed 476 yards and 34 points last week, but the offense was better, scoring more than 50 points for the third time this season. That’s allowed the Vols to cash the OVER in six of eight games.

Joey Aguilar has thrown for 2,344 yards and 18 TDs helping the Vols average the second-most points and fourth-most yards in the FBS. They’ve needed all of that production to offset a defense that ranks 113th nationally in points against and 124th against the pass. Opposing QBs have nine TD passes and average nearly 9 yards per attempt in the last three games.

The Vols had lost four straight ATS until last week’s cover as a 7.5-point road dog. They are 3-4-1 ATS overall.
Tennessee averages 50.8 points in four home games going 3-1 against the OVER.
DeSean Bishop and Star Thomas have combined to rush for 1,070 yards and 14 TDs.
Joey Aguilar has multiple TD passes in five games and he’s second in the SEC with 18.

Oklahoma at Tennessee Predictions

With both teams entering with two losses this is likely a CFP elimination game. OU struggled against a good Ole Miss defense at home and now faces another dynamic unit on the road. Tennessee has been good on its turf and the balanced attack will allow them to score enough points to cover the 3-point spread.

Oklahoma at Tennessee Betting Tips

The Vols opened as a 3-point home favorite in college football odds with a moneyline price of -146.
OU is +130 on the moneyline and is 2-0 SU and ATS in two true road games, but this is their toughest test to date.
The Vols cashed the OVER in six of eight games and the Sooners have played UNDER the total in seven of eight contests. The over/under surfaced at 56.5.
Tennessee has won 26 straight games as a home favorite but they are just 2-5 ATS in their last seven such games.

Oklahoma at Tennessee Head to Head and Key Stats

Tennessee ended a 3-game losing streak in the all-time series with a 25-15 road win last year. The Vols covered the 5.5-point spread and the score went UNDER the total for the third consecutive game.
The teams last played in Knoxville during the 2015 season with OU getting a 31-24 OT victory.
Opponents have scored just 9 TDs against the Sooners, who rank 5th nationally allowing an average of 12.5 points.
The Vols are second in the country in TDs (48) and points per game (45.6).