Oklahoma-Kansas GameDay: Under the Radar

Da'Jon Terry

Kansas is going to try to run the football with power. That means right up the middle with a lot of quick handoffs. But the Jayhawks will also try to deceive the Sooners with a steady diet of jet sweeps, misdirection and read options. There will be times that former Kansas Jayhawk noseguard Da'Jon Terry and his defensive line co-horts — Jordan Kelley, Jacob Lacey, Jonah Laulu, and Isaiah Coe — will see a variation of "influence" blocks, or blocks designed to make them think something else is coming, action that's designed to "influence" them to move out of their space and create a hole for the offense. Players and coaches talked all week about being disciplined with their eyes, so knowing KU is going to try to spring Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw on quick hitters up the middle, it's incumbent on Coe and the OU interior linemen to be disciplined, don't get fooled and hold their ground.

— John Hoover

Troy Everett

Heading into the eighth game of the season, Oklahoma’s game of musical chairs along the interior of the offensive line presses on. Everett’s playing time dipped against UCF as Cayden Green took over, but there are still questions whether Caleb Shaffer or Savion Byrd will take a majority of the snaps at right guard as McKade Mettauer works his way back into the lineup. Everett may need to be on call if the left side of the line falters early, and he’s also OU’s backup center should anything prevent Andrew Raym from taking every snap against the Jayhawks. Oklahoma is still trying to get the running game firing on all cylinders for four complete quarters, and every offensive lineman and running back who has gotten any run so far this year needs to be ready in case they’re called into action in Lawrence.

— Ryan Chapman

Kendel Dolby

Dolby continues to come up big for the Sooners, and there’s a reason it always feels like he’s in the right place at the right time — he is. He has 11 tackles on the season and two big time interceptions, and rotates in often to give the defense a big boost. Dolby’s experience throughout junior college has translated on the field for Oklahoma, and he’s really starting to come into his own in Brent Venables’ defense. Jason Bean loves to air the ball out and will test OU’s corners with the deep ball, and Dolby has a chance to make another huge play or two in a big game.

— Ross Lovelace

Jovantae Barnes

After being unable to break into the Sooners starting lineup this season, Saturday could be sophomore running back Jovantae Barnes' best opportunity to work his way back into Oklahoma's rotation after rushing for more than 500 yards as a true freshman. Not only does Kansas rank No. 94 in the nation in rushing defense, allowing over 161 yards per game, but Barnes should be nearing full health after dealing with an injury throughout camp and the first half of the season. With Tawee Walker missing last week's game and Marcus Major continuing to underperform, the door is wide open for Barnes to once again take over one as one of OU's main backs.

— Randall Sweet

Jaren Kanek

Look for a big performance from sophomore linebacker Jaren Kanak, who plays his first college football game in his home state of Kansas on Saturday and was named a team captain. Not only will the Hays native be motivated to play his best in front of family and friends, Kanak will try to make up for the unsportsmanlike penalty he drew in the UCF game for taunting a player after the defense got a goal-line stop on third down. Kanak has played this season in the shadow of fellow linebacker Danny Stutsman but he is second on the team with 40 tackles and tied for first with four quarterback hurries. Saturday's game could be the perfect storm for Kanak.

— Tim Willert

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