3 to thrive at Saturday's Oklahoma-Tulsa game:
1 – Damien Williams
TU didn't have much luck defending the run against Bowling Green and Colorado State. Hard to see that changing against an OU rushing attack coming off back-to-back 300-yard efforts.
Brennan Clay had the hot hand against West Virginia. Just a hunch it's Williams' turn to run wild Saturday.
2 – Jalen Saunders
Not as a wide receiver. I'm done predicting big things out of OU's passing game, even with Blake Bell arriving at quarterback.
I say Saunders runs back a punt for 6. He nearly brought one back against ULM. He should get a few more opportunities Saturday with OU's defense expected to clamp down on Cody Green and the TU offense.
3 – The Sooner Schooner
Goldie, TU's show-stealing golden retriever, is not making the trip to Norman. That's a shame for fans who won't get a glimpse of the most adorable mascot (or is it ambassador?) in college football.
But at least the Schooner doesn't have to worry about a 6-month-old puppy nipping at its wheels.
3 to surprise:
1 – Blake Bell
One way or another, right? We haven't seen him throw outside the spring game last April, so who knows what he'll do under real-thing conditions. It's not unlike Trevor Knight.
Bell is two years older. He should be more poised, should be able to make his reads more efficiently. But will he? What kind of arm does this guy have?
No idea.
2 – Kendal Thompson
I watched him throw routes in jersey and shorts last week during pregame and tweeted: "Sorta think he might get on the field this yr doing something."
I hereby amend that to: "Sorta think he might get on the field this weekend doing something."
3 – Josh Heupel
The Sooners' playcaller downplayed the significance of the QB change this week. And while the effect on the offense will likely be subtle, surely we'll notice something different.
3 to mystify:
1 – Aaron Colvin
The Sooners have taken it easy with their A-list corner this week after his blow to the head against West Virginia. It shouldn't surprise anyone if they hold him out against Tulsa to get him fully recovered for the Notre Dame-TCU-Texas stretch.
2 – Trey Metoyer
Two games in, it has already been a bumpy ride for the enigmatic wide receiver. From scoring a touchdown in the opener against ULM to losing his place in OU's outside rotation in week two.
3 – Quincy Russell
Another talent who disappeared from view last week. Russell spelled nose tackle Jordan Phillips in the opener, but then watched Torrea Peterson play that role against West Virginia.
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