WR Jalen Saunders: Saunders is a player who can help the Sooners in more than one
position. He is a solid wide receiver who has 654 yards and six receiving touchdowns
this season. He is also No. 5 in the nation in punt return average at 16.8 yards per
return, including two touchdowns. The Sooners will not be able to have long drives
consistently. As a result, if he can improve the Sooners’ field position, it could go a long
way in pulling off the upset.
QB Blake Bell: Bob Stoops recently stated that the choice for his
starting quarterback will be a game-time decision. However, if
recent history is any indication, the Sooners cannot beat Alabama
with Trevor Knight at quarterback. Knight has barely completed 50
percent of his passes and has almost as many interceptions as
touchdowns. That simply will not work against Alabama. Bell, on
the other hand, gives the Sooners a fighting chance if he plays the
best game of his career.
RB Brennan Clay: Clay has rushed for 913 yards and six touchdowns while averaging
5.8 yards a carry this season. The Alabama run defense is one of the best in the nation.
However, Tre Mason and Nick Marshall proved that it is not impossible to find some
success against the Tide. Clay does not have to run for 200 yards, but he will need to
cross the century mark for the Sooners to have a shot.
C Gabe Ikard: The first-team All-Big 12 selection has been one of the nation’s best at
the center position this season. He has not permitted a sack this season and leads the
team in knockdown blocks per game. Most importantly for this game, he makes the
protection calls for an Oklahoma rushing offense that ranks second in the Big 12 and
18th in the nation, averaging 235.8 yards per game. Ikard is going to face the toughest
defense he has seen all season and will need to flourish for the Sooners to win.
CB Aaron Colvin: There is nothing gimmicky about the Crimson Tide offense. Most
games, they will line up and run the ball right at you. However, when your team begins
to stack the box, they will run a play-action pass with A.J. McCarron and burn you deep.
Colvin must be alert all game because you cannot beat the Tide if your secondary is
getting burned deep.