Oklahoma-West Virginia GameDay: Under the Radar

Ethan Downs/Rondell Bothroyd

Throw the rest of the Oklahoma defensive end rotation in there as well because it's high time the Sooner edge rushers knock down a quarterback — something they didn't do at either Kansas or Oklahoma State. Zero QB sacks is entirely likely against West Virginia's power run game and slithery quarterback Garrett Greene. This is one of those games that Brent Venables wants the pass rushers to "cage" the opposing quarterback as opposed to chasing him around. Greene is too dangerous as a runner to give full chase — he'll take off on a 30-yard run. Instead, Ethan Downs, Trace Ford, P.J. Adebawore, Rondell Bothroyd and other edge players need to surround Greene, make him uncomfortable and don't let him set up comfortably so he can throw the deep ball.

— John Hoover

Robert Spears-Jennings

Sophomore safety Robert Spears-Jennings played his finest game in an OU uniform in last week’s Bedlam defeat. He was fast and physical, finishing the game tied for second on the team with seven total tackles. Oklahoma will need his strong tackling again, as the Sooners look to slow down the nation’s seventh-best rushing attack in West Virginia on Saturday. Key Lawrence’s status is still unclear after missing a majority of the game in Stillwater, and Peyton Bowen’s snaps have been limited over the past three weeks. Oklahoma’s defense wore down late against the Mountaineers in Morgantown last year, and so even if OU’s safety room is back healthy, Spears-Jennings should still have a role to ensure the defense stays fresh all game.

— Ryan Chapman

Kobie McKinzie

While Kip Lewis has received plenty of praise after his impressive outing against Oklahoma State, his running mate, Kobie McKinzie also played well against the Cowboys. If Danny Stutsman is once again limited for the Sooners with the same injury that kept him out of Bedlam, Mckinzie will likely play a decent number of snaps again on Saturday. The biggest area of concern in McKinzie's game right now is his pass coverage skills, but against a run-heavy West Virginia offense, the Lubbock native will be able to play to his strengths. Without having to worry as much about his pass drops, McKinzie will be able to fly downhill and deliver a striking blow to ball carriers as they hit the hole. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound redshirt freshman is known as one of the hardest hitters on the team and will have the opportunity to showcase his physicality against the Mountaineers.

— Randall Sweet

Jayden Gibson

It feels like these last three games are big for young players on the outside looking in of the rotation. With the transfer portal so prevalent in college football, ending the season on a high note and proving you can play is big in many different ways. On one hand, it could be a catapult into next season, and on the other hand, if a player isn’t getting the snaps they desire it could prompt them to find a new home. Oklahoma obviously wants to keep a talent like Jayden Gibson around, and a big game down the stretch could convince him of his role in the offense heading into the SEC. With Andrel Anthony out, the coaches have discussed missing his possession catches and downfield threat on multiple occasions. Gibson is massive and made a few contested catches early in the year, and now is his time to step up and lock in a role moving forward.

— Ross Lovelace

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