#14/14 Vols Turn Page to Primetime Showdown with #18/18 Sooners

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Coming off an electric road victory at Kentucky, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel met with the media Monday afternoon to open the week as the No. 14 Vols (6–2, 3–2 SEC) prepare for a primetime showdown against No. 18 Oklahoma (6-2, 2-2 SEC) on Saturday night at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

"Excited to be back in Neyland, see our fans, Dark Mode," Heupel said. "Need the Neyland Effect to be a huge part of this football game on Saturday night."

The matchup will mark the second time Oklahoma has played in Neyland Stadium, with the first meeting in Knoxville going into double overtime. The Sooners enter as one of the nation's top defensive teams, while quarterback John Mateer leads a balanced offensive attack.

"Defensively, one of the top teams in the country in every statistical category," Heupel said. "The front's big, strong, physical, relentless – huge test. Offensively, dynamic quarterback that's a playmaker. He does that through the air, does that with his legs. He's got good skill around him, so huge test."

Heupel emphasized the importance of correcting details from the Kentucky game while maintaining the same competitive edge that's carried the Vols through a tough SEC slate.

Full comments from Heupel's Monday press conference can be viewed below.

Tennessee Football Press Conference | Oct. 27, 2025

Head Coach Josh Heupel

Opening statement…
"We'll start it off that way – it's great to have Ben McKee back in the building, so great to see you. Also, I know (head baseball coach Josh Elander) was just introduced in here a second ago, and I want to wish him, his family and everybody congratulations. I'm excited to see him continue to help our baseball program continue to grow. I want to wish (Tony Vitello) good luck too. Obviously, firsthand I've gotten the chance to see what he's done in helping build that program – winning a national championship but also what he's done for this campus too. I'm excited for him and that opportunity. Great week of football here this week. Obviously a huge contest with a really good football team that we're getting ready to play. Excited to be back in Neyland, see our fans, Dark Mode. Need the Neyland Effect to be a huge part of this football game on Saturday night. So, looking forward to the day with them."

On his takeaways from the defensive performance against Kentucky after watching tape…
"There are some things that were really good, and there are some things that weren't. You get a guy out of a gap, you create a seam and a couple big pass plays. At the end of the day, it's all 11. There's a lot of good. Man, the correctables have to get corrected. That's what we did this morning, and it's what we'll continue to work on this week, but I'm excited to go play with these guys."

On refocusing after a road win and looking ahead to Oklahoma…
"Yeah, watch the tape and get ready to play a really good Oklahoma team. Defensively, one of the top teams in the country in every statistical category. The front's big, strong, physical, relentless. The tackles for loss, sacks, not giving up a bunch of big plays. Huge test. Offensively, dynamic quarterback that's a playmaker. He does that through the air, does that with his legs. He's got good skill around him, so huge test."

On defensive personnel changes from last season…
"It takes 11 guys doing their job at a high level, ultimately. Yeah, our personnel is different in some places, and that forces you at times to be different too in positions that you're putting some of your guys in. At the end of the day, get ready to go play this one."

On what is harder, to win immediately at a job, or to maintain success long-term…
"It's all heart. In this league, in this game, it's all heart. It takes a great staff, takes everybody being on the same page. It takes players buying in. There's a lot of work that goes into it."

On what stands out about Oklahoma's offense especially compared to last season…
"The quarterback is a playmaker. He extends plays when the initial reads aren't there and does a great job on scrambles, keeping the play alive, throwing it downfield and using his feet when it's not. Everything is matched out, so you have to apply pressure to him, but you have to try to find a way to keep him bottled up too. They'll turn the numbers into their favor and use the quarterback run game, and he's really good in that as well. Their offensive line is just continuing to get better throughout the course of the year."

On the evolving landscape of college football changing a coach's everyday approach…
"Well you see it for sure, but it's like anything – same thing with our players – it all comes down to controlling what you're in control of, and that's the work that we put in, our preparation and ultimately, going out there and playing in a really good way."

On Jadon Perlotte's progression into a larger role at linebacker…
"I think it's a testament to a guy continuing to prepare and continuing to fight to continue to get better. I pointed out (Radarious Jackson) and the way that he played on Saturday to the entire football team. A guy that was out for four or five weeks, comes back and is ready for the opportunity and plays in a really good way. Jadon is fast, violent and has made some plays. Obviously has a couple turnovers, makes a big play on a quarterback sack last week, and just continuing to dive into the details and master those things."

On the defense generating less sacks the past two weeks than earlier in the season…
"Well, it can be a little bit of a combination of everything. Teams that have gotten it out quickly, sometimes there's chipping on the edges, and that typically buys them a little more time, also slows down their route structure. So, combination of all those things. Running quarterbacks, you have to stay on the right side of the line of applying pressure, disrupting the pocket but not letting them get out."

University of Tennessee Athletics