SEC football picks: Why Tennessee, Josh Heupel will win at Oklahoma | Adams

The Tennessee-Oklahoma football game Saturday in Norman has plenty of intriguing matchups, the most obvious of which is the former Sooner versus the Sooners.

I will repeat the featured storyline for anyone who might have missed the other 837 stories written on the topic. Tennessee coach Josh Heupel quarterbacked Oklahoma to the national championship in 2000 and was fired 14 years later as the Sooners offensive coordinator.

How might that bittersweet history affect Heupel upon his return to Sooner Land? Some might see it as a distraction. But I expect it will sharpen his senses. Translation: He will be at his devious best as a play-caller.

The quarterback matchup between a couple of redshirt freshmen is also compelling. Both Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava and Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold made their first college starts in the 2023 postseason. At the end of this season, I expect the consensus to be – and I think NFL scouts will back me up on this – that Iamaleava is the premier pro prospect at his position.

But I like Arnold’s game, too. He just doesn’t have as much help as Iamaleava.

Tennessee 34, Oklahoma 20: The decisive matchup likely will be the Vols intimidating defensive front against Oklahoma’s revamped but depleted offensive line. I can’t imagine the Sooners overcoming that.

LSU 45, UCLA 21: Coaching changes tell you all you need to know about this game at Tiger Stadium.

Brian Kelly left a head-coaching job at Notre Dame to become LSU’s coach. Chip Kelly left a head-coaching job at UCLA to become an offensive coordinator at Ohio State.

Missouri 37, Vanderbilt 17: In case you missed the score, Vanderbilt lost to Georgia State last week.

Losing to Georgia State – which Tennessee did five years ago – would shake the very foundation of most SEC schools. The only reaction I heard about Vanderbilt’s loss was a cackle from my wife, who’s probably still bitter that a Vanderbilt doctor failed to heal the wound on her right foot. So petty.

Texas A&M 38, Bowling Green 15: The Aggies will try to stretch their winning streak to four games … oh, wait, I forgot. They started Conner Weigman at quarterback in their season-opening loss to Notre Dame.

With Weigman injured, coach Mike Elko turned to backup Marcel Reed, who was terrific in last week's victory over Florida. So, Reed will start Saturday … oh, wait, Elko hasn’t decided on his starter.

Weigman was bad against Notre Dame. Reed was good against Florida. Gosh, Coach, that’s a tough call.

Ole Miss 47, Georgia Southern 7: Betting tip: Always take Ole Miss, Texas and Tennessee and give the points. You will come out ahead in the long run.

I apologize for forgetting that 800 number for anyone who has a gambling problem. But I gladly will offer my expertise on such matters if you email me. Just don’t expect a prompt reply.

Texas 51, ULM 6: I don’t care if Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning starts at quarterback for the Longhorns. It’s still Texas by 45.

In fact, I don’t care if Major Applewhite returns to quarterback the Longhorns. It’s still Texas by 45.

South Carolina 37, Akron 10: I wasn’t surprised the Gamecocks blew a 17-point lead in losing to LSU. I was shocked they ever had a 17-point lead.

Compliments to the Zips, who are no longer in the conversation of “Who’s the worst team in the MAC East?” Kent State shut down that debate by losing to Tennessee 71-0.

Florida 24, Mississippi State 19: Don’t ask me what’s worse: Florida getting manhandled in The Swamp by Miami and Texas A&M, or Mississippi State getting trounced on its home field by Toledo?

ADAMS: The Oklahoma football game has to be personal, but Josh Heupel won't tell you that

I plead ignorance and apathy. Don’t know; don’t care. I just hope soon-to-be-fired Florida coach Billy Napier gets an easy-to-open water bottle in Starkville, Mississippi.

Kentucky 28, Ohio 9:Wildcats fans shouldn’t be discouraged by their team’s 1-2 start. Kentucky will win six games, qualify for a bowl, and coach Mark Stoops won’t leave. Blah, blah, blah.

Auburn 27, Arkansas 23:Razorbacks fans shouldn’t be encouraged by their team’s 2-1 start. Arkansas won’t win six games, won’t go to a bowl, and coach Sam Pittman will be asked to leave.

Record: 37-8 (.822), 19-14 (.576) against the spread.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why Tennessee football, Josh Heupel will beat Oklahoma, other SEC picks