Josh Heupel staying at OU as a Sooner lifer is downright believable compared to the fantasy that unfolded. Getting canned was a blessing in disguise.

The week of Heupel's highly-anticipated return to Norman is finally here. The No. 7-ranked Volunteers face No. 13 OU at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on ABC. Here's some of what Heupel said about returning to OU, scouting the Sooners and head coach Brent Venables:

This will be the first time that Heupel and Venables, who spent plenty of time together at Oklahoma, have faced off on opposing sidelines as head coaches