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'I tend to think that Tennessee got a little too big for its britches' - Analyst puts Vols on notice ahead of 'revenge game' in 2025

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Ragan | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 10:56 AM ET

Fox Sports college football analyst RJ Young, an Oklahoma alum who roots for the Sooners, put the Tennessee Vols on notice this week ahead of UT's rematch with OU in 2025.

Tennessee beat Oklahoma 25-15 last season, in what was Vols head coach Josh Heupel's first trip back to Norman since he was unceremoniously fired by his alma mater a decade ago.

Young says the Sooners will be looking for revenge when Oklahoma visits Neyland Stadium in early November.

He also thinks Tennessee got a little "too big for its britches" last season before getting humbled against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

"You think we're going to miss at quarterback for a second year in a row, all the money they paying that boy (OU QB John Mateer)?" said Young on Adapt and Respond with RJ Young. "Ain't no way, ain't no way. I'm not even gonna entertain that. [Oklahoma is] gonna get you back. That's what I'm trying to tell Tennessee fans. I like them, I do. I enjoy Tennessee fans. I enjoy Volunteer football. Just not against Oklahoma.

"I tend to think that Tennessee got a little too big for its britches, just a couple of times. They beat Bama, and they beat Oklahoma, and they think they're about something. And then, well, Ohio State got to show you what that's really like. That's what a national championship caliber team looks like."

There's no doubt that Ohio State was a better team than Tennessee last season -- no one is going to argue that.

But I don't think it's accurate say that Tennessee "got a little too big for its britches".

The Vols won some close games, they went through some adversity, and they ended up being just one of three SEC programs to reach the College Football Playoff last season.

If anything, Tennessee will be the team that plays with a chip on its shoulder when Oklahoma comes to Knoxville in 2025. The Vols will be eager to prove that last season wasn't a fluke -- especially with most of the national media seemingly doubting that Tennessee can return to the College Football Playoff for a second straight season.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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