Tim Tebow praises Brent Venables ahead of showdown with Will Stein

The No. 15 Kentucky Wildcats travel to Norman for the second time in program history to take on the Oklahoma Sooners. The Wildcats have been one of college football's biggest surprises this year, sitting at 5-1.

Head coach Will Stein is in his first year at the helm. He spent the last three years as the Oregon Ducks' offensive coordinator. His high-powered offense helped lead Oregon to the College Football Playoff the last two seasons. He's brought his offensive expertise to Lexington. The Wildcats are averaging 414.2 yards per game. His elite play-calling was on full display in the last two weeks, as Kentucky won both games on a two-point conversion in overtime.

SEC Network's Tim Tebow praised Stein's scheme but said Brent Venables presents a different kind of challenge for the offensive play-caller.

"They won because of players; they also won because of scheme both times," Tebow said on 'SEC Nation.' "Both times he gave his team an advantage because they had a mismatch on the man-to-man coverage, and they had the mismatch because LSU didn't stunt their defensive line in empty. He's putting his players in a position to win, and that's why the chess match with Venables is awesome. Because Venables, that's a different d.c. (He's) big time."

That chess match could be one of the defining storylines Saturday in Norman. Stein has demonstrated an ability to identify defensive weaknesses and create favorable matchups in critical situations, while Venables will look to counter with adjustments that disrupt Kentucky's timing. Oklahoma's ability to disguise coverages, pressure the quarterback and communicate effectively against shifting formations will be crucial against a Wildcats offense that has repeatedly found answers when games are on the line.

For the Sooners, the matchup is another opportunity to build on their win over the Texas Longhorns and show they can handle a different kind of offensive challenge. Kentucky has proven it can execute under pressure, but Oklahoma's defense has the experience and talent to make life difficult for Stein's scheme. If Venables wins the tactical battle and the Sooners execute on the field, Oklahoma can earn another big win and keep its momentum rolling.