Best guesses – and believe me they are just that, guesses – as to 3 who will thrive in Saturday night's Oklahoma opener against ULM, 3 who will surprise and 3 who will mystify...
To thrive...
1 – Trevor Knight
The reason folks are worked up over this game being trouble for OU is ULM's offense, not defense. The Warhawks were 72nd in scoring D a year ago, 78th in total and 108th against the pass.
Not saying Knight will ring up 79 points a la Sam Bradford in his 2007 debut against North Texas. But really, he couldn't ask for a much better warm-up.
2 – Jalen Saunders
If you're a nervous first time freshman starting QB, why not let the sure-handed, playmaking senior leader of the receiving corps be your guide? Knight should look for Saunders right out of the gate, then keep looking for him.
It's not like ULM is expected to do much about it.
3 – OU fans
Brand new quarterback nobody's ever really seen. New look on offense. New look on defense. New intro video, which has become the best thing about OU home games. And the potential for an entertaining game, if ULM quarterback Kolton Browning can keep up.
Should be a lot of fun at the old stadium for 85,000 plus.
To surprise...
1 – Zack Sanchez
He's the redshirt freshman starting in place of suspended cornerback Cortez Johnson. Browning likes to throw, but he'd be advised to keep away from OU left corner Aaron Colvin. That means a lot of action for Sanchez.
The rookie will give up some plays. My hunch is he'll make a few of his own, and maybe even give Mike Stoops something to consider assuming Johnson is reinstated for game two against West Virginia.
2 – Frank Shannon
If Stoops is serious about playing two linebackers at all times, that gives Shannon and Corey Nelson the freedom to make plays again. You already know about Nelson, the third-year starter on the weak side.
Shannon has been used in smaller doses. He's expected to get a bigger one tonight.
3 – Josh Heupel
The offensive coordinator has spent all preseason downplaying significant changes to his structure. Knight must throw from the pocket, he keeps insisting. Fine.
But no way does Heupel tie him there. Otherwise, what was the point of his being named starter over Blake Bell in the first place?
To mystify...
1 – Bell
The Sooners need their freshman starter taking as many game-condition snaps as he can get, and racking up as much confidence as possible. If Knight stumbles early, it cracks the door for his backup. But only cracks it; I think Heupel sticks with the youngster short of interceptions on his first two or three possessions.
Otherwise, it's hard to see Bell getting many meaningful non-Belldozer snaps Saturday night.
2 – Quincy Russell
Mike Stoops estimates the JUCO defensive tackle sees 20-30 snaps. That's not a lot of opportunity for difference-making.
3 – Jed Barnett
OU's new punter, I believe. Might be interesting to see if he can pass for Tress Way, but I sort of doubt the Sooners will do a lot of punting against ULM.
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