Despite a rash of injuries, the Oklahoma Sooners still have plenty of talent, and Brent Venables got the best of Josh Heupel when the two faced off a decade ago. As a result, Tennessee Football still has to take this game seriously, particularly since it’s on the road. Here are the five key OU players the Vols need to watch out for.
5. Deion Burks, WR
Despite a rash of injuries at the wide receiver spot, the Sooners still have talent there, and Deion Burks is the guy in line to step up. Burks has gotten better each week, coming away with seven catches for 80 yards last week against the Tulane Green Wave. He has 22 catches for 169 yards and three touchdowns on the year. At 5’11”, the Purdue Boilermakers transfer will test the UT secondary in this game.
4. Danny Stutsman, LB
Amidst all the talent OU has on defense, the quarterback of that whole unit is Danny Stutsman. Given the complexities of Venables’ defense, the middle linebacker is always crucial, and Stutsman is that guy. He leads the team in tackles with 33 and solo tackles with 21. Venables will use him to try confuse Tennessee Football quarterback Nico Iamaleava, so Heupel needs to prepare for that.
3. Kani Walker, CB
This is somewhat of a two-person slot, as both OU cornerbacks are elite in Dez Malone and Kani Walker, but Walker is the star lockdown corner of the two. Although he has been targeted more, Walker has delivered because of that, punishing opponents with three pass deflections and an interception. He could give Iamaleava trouble, and this is another big test for him.
2. R Mason Thomas, DE
Although Tennessee Football has the star edge rusher in James Pearce Jr., OU has the most productive defensive player of the season between the two so far on the edge. R Mason Thomas is coming off one of the best games in history for a defensive player after registering three sacks last week against Tulane. He has four tackles for a loss on the year, and he’ll test UT’s tackles on the edge.
1. Jackson Arnold, QB
What Tennessee Football fans think they are getting in Iamaleava is exactly what OU fans think they have in Jackson Arnold. So far, Arnold has completed 54 of 86 passes for 474 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. He also leads the team in rushing with 36 carries for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Rocky Top will have to contain him all game if they want to win, and that could be tough.
