This line has flipped in a big way.
Tennessee is rolling, and this line is on the move.
The Volunteers will head to Norman this weekend to take on the Oklahoma Sooners for their first SEC test of the year. The game will serve as Oklahoma’s first conference game as a member of the Southeastern Conference, as well as a homecoming for former Sooner quarterback Josh Heupel.
This is one of three massive conference games for Tennessee, one that will go a long way in determining potential College Football Playoff paths for both sides. The Volunteers putting a win on the board this week would certainly put them in the driver’s seat for a spot in the inaugural 12-team field.
Oklahoma has been favored in early summer lines for months, but Tennessee’s hot start has completely flipped this spread. The Sooners were favored by as much as a touchdown just a month ago, but now Tennessee has opened the week as a 7.5 point favorite.
The reason? Well it’s a combination of Tennessee’s hot start and Oklahoma’s struggles. The Sooners barely got by Houston in week two, then had a tough game against Tulane last weekend. Tennessee has put up three blowouts to this point — one of which coming against a ranked NC State team in Charlotte.
Nico Iamaleava looks the part, and the Tennessee defense has yet to allow a single touchdown this season. The Volunteers have climbed up to No. 6 in the latest AP poll, and the hype appears to be very real.
Now once again — we’ve been here before — can Josh Heupel do it on the road? That’s the question that must be answered on Saturday night.