Oklahoma coach Brent Venables expressed a strong desire for the Sooners' struggling offense to step up as they prepare for their first Southeastern Conference game against No. 6 Tennessee. Venables highlighted the urgency for the offense to create explosive plays, as they currently average just 4.86 yards per play, the lowest for the program since 1998. Despite the high stakes of the matchup, players like Jake Roberts and Heath Ozaeta emphasized the importance of maintaining a routine approach, treating this game like any other. Meanwhile, Tennessee enters the game as a seven-point favorite, boasting a potent offense and a defense that hasn't allowed a touchdown since November. Oklahoma State is also gearing up for a challenging start to their Big 12 schedule, facing No. 12 Utah, while trying to solidify their position in the conference after a strong non-conference showing. The outcomes of these games could significantly influence the playoff prospects for both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.