The only way we lose to Oklahoma

[Swiftybaby]

The Vols won’t get the same OU team or crowd that Tulane faced. Not even close to the same.

How can you be so sure?

 

[chuckiepoo]

If OU chooses to play man coverage against Heupel with a QB like Nico then it’s vols by 20 imo. Heupel would be licking his chops at that to run four verts over the top. Someone will get the release and it’s a tuddy

…better put a spy on Nico.

 

[bpalmer28]

If our defense is so great like many of you think, then Oklahoma should not score more than twice. They only scored 16 against Houston. We have to be good in the run game. Nico can't turn the ball over

I vote for another shutout.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

How can you be so sure?

Just a hunch the same as all the folks saying Vols win this one by a lot.

 

[Clad in Big Orange]

You say that like you’re the only one that understands the challenge that OU represents.

Not trying to sound special. In fact, I was concerned that the NC state game would be close, so what do I know?

 

[chuckiepoo]

Not trying to sound special. In fact, I was concerned that the NC state game would be close, so what do I know?

I get it. Trying to stay centered myself. My anxiety will build toward kick off.

 

[Johnnyreb#VFL]

Nico did fine against Nancy State.

7-0 early, up 17 at halftime.

I doubt that we hang 66 on Oklahoma, but I predict a comfy win for the Vols.

It was 10-3 and he had an early interception and we punted a couple times. Will Brooks gets the pick to go up 17-3 and that was all she wrote

 

[WillisWG]

 

[DaddyChad]

The key will be an effective silent count. We've seen how badly false starts can stall a drive.

This. Getting off script will make this game much more difficult. We definitely can lose if we get some holds or false starts.

 

[Sudden Impact]

Is if the stage is to big for Nico . If the stage is not to big for Nico , we win by 3 or 4 touchdowns.
Game day on campus , night game , Oklahoma's first ever SEC game , arguably the best game thus far , with the entire college football world watching . Venables will stack the box , play man coverage and throw everything he's got at our young QB , In an attempt to Rattle him and cause turnovers.
Us Vol fans already know how incredibly talented Nico is , Saturday night in Norman Oklahoma we will find out how mentally and physically tough he is .
Go Vols !!! All of Volnation is behind you !!! Put on more steam !!!

If you have this thought, then, it is not about NICO at all. It is about preparation and coaching. IOW, CJH has probably ran through every defensive scheme Venables can throw at him and has probably picked the play selection to counter it. I don't think NICO will see much of anything that CJH has already planned for in this game.

 

[AVL Vol]

Agree. Venables will stack the box and make young Nico throw early hoping for turnovers and to the the crowd involved. Nico still holding the ball too long, IMO but he will get better. He just doesn't need to go for chunk yardage immediately in the pass game but just get the ball to our talented wideouts on short or medium routes or DSamp out of the backfield and then then take shots when available. Suspect the first few scripted pass plays will go to Bru and or Squirrel, possibly Nimrod as they are reliable to lighten up the box. The short passes will open up the run game, then play action will allow Nico to hit Brazzell and Thornton and others down field later in the game and we will put OU away by late 3rd or early 4th quarter. Look for DSamp and Bishop to have a big second half toting the rock. On the other hand, if our D can put the hammer down early, and get some early turnovers and a defensive score, it could get real ugly for OU in a hurry since their offense won't be able to keep pace with ours. Nico will hit one of our tight ends for a score in the second half, to put the game out of reach. Prediction: Vols - 45 OU -17

 

[pimo1]

This game comes down to the crowd. If we can come out and jump on them we can take the crowd out early like we did LSU. If that crowd gets to our vols this could be a long night. Venables defense is fairly...fancy. Anything that makes our offense take a few more seconds per snap helps them. This is true vs everyone but I think more about this game. These guys disguise a lot of coverages and blitzes but if you snap it before they can adjust that kills them.

Keys to the game in order
1 Establish the run early
2 Don't let them on the board early
3 Make Arnold beat us with his arm. Arnold is good for about 1 pick a game.
4 force turnovers while not committing turnovers.
5 Get the crowd out of the game ASAP.

 

[VolCalls]

This game will be decided in the trenches. They have big guys up front, and so do we. Playing the game at home gives the Sooners an edge. I think this will be a tight game. Nobody strolls into Norman and blows them off the field.

 

[1974Vol]

Ga. will absolutely play us man and probably Al. also.

Yep, most likely, and it has worked for the Dawgs, but at least in 2022 for Bama not so much. If you have NFL level corners man is the way to go but you also need DE's and LBs that can pressure and contain the QB. With the TE's we have now that will be even more difficult. I think with Nico under center we're back to '22 level offensive productivity, largely due to his ability to scramble when plays break down ala Hooker. Georgia is the only team we have played when our offense is clicking that has been able to man up on our WR's and keep us in check. Can the Sooners? I don't think so, but we'll find out Saturday night.

 

[JohnWardForever]

I see a lot of stats & trends this week about Tennessee's & Heupel's failures on the road; however, Heupel hasn't had a team of this caliber, especially a Defense such as this one.

 

[xpsyclonex2002]

Spot on. If Their D gets to Nico and he gets the Yip's, he'll end up fumbling or throwing a couple of interceptions. Nico will have to play a clean game for us to win.

 

[JohnWardForever]

Spot on. If Their D gets to Nico and he gets the Yip's, he'll end up fumbling or throwing a couple of interceptions. Nico will have to play a clean game for us to win.

He will..

 

[will-you-shut-up-man]

If we don't show up to the game. The only reason we lost to them in 2016(?) is because of incompetent coaching.

 

[cherokeeeVOL]

I think if the refs let their DBs get away with grabbing and holding like Georgia did against us in '22 then this will be closer than many of us are hoping and Nico will need to scramble for yards.

 

[Dudleys87]

Sound defensively and establish the run.

 

[LouderVol]

plenty of ways we can lose this game.

Its an away game.
its our toughest game so far this season.
they are getting some top guys back healthy, and will probably play better than we have seen this year.
We listen to the smoke being blow up our butts.
they have just been prepping for our game the whole time.

 

[Volador]

Is if the stage is to big for Nico . If the stage is not to big for Nico , we win by 3 or 4 touchdowns.
Game day on campus , night game , Oklahoma's first ever SEC game , arguably the best game thus far , with the entire college football world watching . Venables will stack the box , play man coverage and throw everything he's got at our young QB , In an attempt to Rattle him and cause turnovers.
Us Vol fans already know how incredibly talented Nico is , Saturday night in Norman Oklahoma we will find out how mentally and physically tough he is .
Go Vols !!! All of Volnation is behind you !!! Put on more steam !!!

This game is about every position player on UT's side of the ball. I think I speak for many of us when I say that I am (very) nervous about our untested secondary. OU has a good QB, and if he is given the time to expose our secondary, that could and will probably change everything for this team. Nico, Bru, Dylan, Squirrel and others on Offense are going to score - that is a given. The stage for our D though is bigger than for our O, IMO, so this game focuses on all 22 core positions plus special teams and coaches. This win will be a Team Win - and Nico will be a part of it. Go Vols!!

 

[perico]

If they take the leash off Thornton, then I don't see them able to contain the passing game. He and Brazell are a lethal combo.

 

[jasonvol18]

What if the running backs fumble three times and Oklahoma recovers? Man, there is a bunch of ways to lose a football game outside of QB play.

Absolutely! Anyone that thinks this will be easy has lost their mind. Not to mention everyone and their Mom is betting on the Vols. That's rarely a good sign. Vegas is either gonna get killed on this game or make an absolute killing. Say what you want and be overconfident all you like, but we are NOT blowing them out and will be very lucky to get out with a Dub. I hope like hell I'm wrong and we win by 30, but likely not happening.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I think if the refs let their DBs get away with grabbing and holding like Georgia did against us in '22 then this will be closer than many of us are hoping and Nico will need to scramble for yards.

This is my thought. They’re going to play very physical on the outside. They’re going to force the officials to make some PI calls. The shots will be there, but this is a game for Bru. He’s 6’3” 220 he can make those tough catches with guys hanging on him over the middle .