Tennessee Receives Troubling News on Key Player Ahead of Oklahoma
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Saturday’s matchup with No. 14 Tennessee and No. 18 Oklahoma will have massive College Football Playoff implications.
Both teams come into the game with two losses and are trying to keep their CFP hopes alive in Week 10.
It will be the second time that the Volunteers and Sooners have faced each other during Josh Heupel’s tenure as head coach in Knoxville. The former Oklahoma quarterback (1999-2000) coached against his alma mater last season in Norman, winning 25-15.
Unfortunately for Tennessee, the status of linebacker Arion Carter is unknown, as he was listed as questionable, via On3’s Pete Nakos. Carter came into the week dealing with turf toe on both of his feet.
Nakos stated that Carter is a game-time decision.
Carter has been a staple of defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ defense this season, starting in all seven games. Carter has 61 total tackles, 2.5 TFLs and one sack.
He really came into his own last season, starting all 13 games at the will linebacker spot. Carter recorded career highs in total tackles (68), TFLs (6.5) and interceptions (1).
The linebacker is an in-state product, hailing from Smyrna High School in Smyrna, Tennessee. He was a former four-star prospect and the No. 11 linebacker in the 2023 class.
This season’s meeting will feature different players for both teams, especially at quarterback. In 2024, it was Nico Iamaleava against Jackson Arnold, who have both transferred to different schools.
Iamaleava is now with UCLA, while Arnold left for Auburn. Arnold was benched in last season’s game for Michael Hawkins Jr.
Tennessee and Oklahoma both went to the transfer portal to find their 2025 starting quarterbacks. Joey Aguilar went from UCLA to Tennessee, and Oklahoma received a commitment from John Mateer, who previously attended Washington State.
The Volunteers and Sooners meet on Rocky Top at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Related: Greg McElroy Puts Three Ranked College Football Teams on Upset Alert in Week 10
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 1, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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