Tennessee kicked off SEC play in style with a commanding 25-15 road victory over Oklahoma, showcasing their ability to handle quality opponents away from Neyland Stadium. The performance has prompted ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum to declare the Volunteers as serious contenders for the College Football Playoff.
“They’ve struggled on the road in recent seasons,” Finebaum said during an appearance on *SportsCenter*. “But they finally broke that curse last night. Now, to be fair, this Oklahoma team isn’t the same powerhouse we saw during the Baker Mayfield or Kyler Murray years. This is a more average group, and Jackson Arnold had his challenges.
“But Tennessee has everything clicking right now, and honestly, this looks like a team that could easily make the playoffs—and maybe even play deep into January.”
While quarterback Nico Iamaleava efficiently led the offense, it was Tennessee’s defense that truly stood out. Oklahoma’s offense struggled all night, managing only 222 total yards and failing to threaten Tennessee’s lead. The Sooners scored 12 of their 15 points in the fourth quarter when the Volunteers had already built a substantial cushion.
This victory not only moved Tennessee to 1-0 in conference play but also marked a personal milestone for head coach Josh Heupel. A former Heisman Trophy runner-up at Oklahoma, Heupel was later fired as an offensive assistant by the Sooners, making the win especially significant for him.
“Look, this game wasn’t about me—it was about our 2024 journey and this football team,” Heupel said in a postgame interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “But the guys knew it was important for me to come back here, and I definitely wanted to get a win. My mom’s watching from above, and I know she’s proud. But this was a step forward for our team. Winning on the road, at night, against a strong opponent is never easy. We found a way to do that. Good teams get better, and we have to keep pushing ourselves to improve.”
One more impressive stat: Tennessee has yet to trail in a game this season, a testament to their dominance so far. As they continue to build momentum, the Volunteers are positioning themselves as a major player in the playoff conversation as the season progresses.
