Five impact players for Oklahoma State-Texas

Five impact players from Oklahoma State who will make a difference against Texas

Oklahoma State has had a decent amount of success throughout its non-conference slate. They've won the opening three games of the season by a combined 77 points and currently have the leading rusher in the country, Chuba Hubbard, and the leading receiver, Tylan Wallace.

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Through the first three games of the season, Hubbard has amassed 521 yards and seven touchdowns, while Tylan Wallace has hauled in 390 yards and six touchdowns. And let's not forget quarterback Spencer Sanders' start to the season. In his first three starts at the collegiate level, Sanders has thrown for 622 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for 219 yards and one touchdown.

As an offensive whole, the Cowboys rank in the top-15 in the FBS in total offense (12), rushing offense (9), team passing efficiency (9), scoring offense (9), 3rd (3) and 4th (1) down conversion and red zone offense (9).

I don't believe the offense will have a problem tonight against Texas, but they'll still need to perform, as will the defense. The Pokes' defense struggled in the second quarter against Tulsa this past week, but really shored it up and completed the second-half shut out. They're going to need another performance like that against Texas to give the Cowboys a chance.

We're going to be taking a look at five players who could have a big impact on tonight's game against the No. 12 ranked Longhorns.

We're going to start off with someone who hasn't played in the first three games of the season, but came into Oklahoma State with heaps of experience, and talent: Israel Antwine.

Antwine was lauded by his defensive teammates all throughout fall camp as one of the strongest and most talented players on the defensive front. Antwine started 11 of 12 games last season for Colorado as a true freshman recorded 15 total tackles, five of which were solo stops, 1.5 tackles for loss and two quarterback hurries.

Depth on the defensive line has been an issue for OSU this season and Antwine will go a long way to filling those gaps (no pun intended).

Chuba Hubbard/Offensive line

As I mentioned above, Hubbard is the nation's leading rusher and is primed for a huge game against the Horns. I bent the rule a little bit and combined Hubbard with the offensive line because they work hand in hand. If Hubbard is to have success tonight, the offensive line will need to have another performance as they did against Oregon State and Tulsa.

Spencer Sanders/Tylan Wallace

Again, bending the rules. But hey, they're my rules. Another two guys that will depend on each other for success. Sure, Sanders has other receivers to throw to, and Texas DC Todd Orlando will try and have Wallace covered up all night, but Tylan shines in big time games and will tonight. Sanders will have to overcome the jitters he experienced against Tulsa in the second quarter much earlier, but these two are primed for a solid night.

Tre Sterling

Safety Tre Sterling is a redshirt sophomore for the Pokes, but he's in his first season as a starting safety. Sterling had a great coming out party against Oregon State as he recorded a career-high nine tackles, seven of which were solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss. This past week, he recorded seven total tackles against Tulsa, one tackle for loss and 0.5 sacks for a four-yard loss. We had heard all fall that Sterling was a ball hawk and we've seen him come so close this season to getting his first interception. I believe it will happen tonight against Sam Ehlinger and will be one of the leading tackles for the Pokes' defense.

A.J. Green

Save for the pick six against McNeese, corner A.J. Green has been relatively quiet to start the season. Sure, he recorded seven total tackles against Oregon State, five of which were solo stops, but as a senior from Desoto, Texas, I think that Green will have a masterful game against the Longhorns.

Bonus pick: Tom Hutton

I'm going to start this bonus pick by saying I hope we don't have to see the Aussie punter at all tonight. But I know that's not realistic and he could play a huge role in this game. Most of the games in the past 10 years have been real barn burners, and this year looks to go the same way. On the drives where OSU's offense stalls out, and it's inevitable, Mike Gundy needs Hutton to hit the booming punts we've all heard about and pin the Longhorns deep. Plus, we all know that Australian punters have success in DKR Texas Memorial Stadium.