The Oklahoma Sooners will try to stay unbeaten in 2024 when they take on the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday night in Norman. Both teams are 3-0, and OU’s first conference game as a member of the [autotag]SEC[/autotag] is one of the most highly-anticipated home games the Sooners have had in a long time.
While [autotag]Josh Heupel[/autotag]’s Vols have looked very impressive in their three games to begin the year, [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ OU team has struggled offensively but has managed to stay undefeated.
As Oklahoma continues to deal with injuries all over the roster, we’ve seen plenty of true freshmen get big-time experience this season. However, the stakes haven’t been as high as they will be on Saturday on national television. Here are three freshmen to keep your eye on in this primetime matchup.
1. Jayden Jackson, DT
As Oklahoma’s only true freshman starter, [autotag]Jayden Jackson[/autotag] has been excellent at defensive tackle. He’s part of an excellent group of interior defensive lineman. Despite playing at the high school level this time last year, he hasn’t looked overwhelmed at all through three weeks.
Tennessee’s offensive line is by far the best the Sooners have played this year, and the Volunteers have a high-flying up-tempo spread offense that can be a nightmare for defenses. How Jackson handles his first real test as a Sooner could be crucial to the outcome of this contest.
2. Taylor Tatum, RB
Running back [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] was more involved in the game plan last week against Tulane than he was in week two against Houston. He responded with two touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground.
Tatum runs with a burst that is desperately needed right now in the OU run game. If Oklahoma can find a way to run the ball effectively, it can open up the rest of the offense, which hasn’t reached expectations yet this season.
Though Tatum is still behind both Gavin Sawchuk and Jovantae Barnes on the depth chart, he needs to be a bigger part of the offense going forward.
Tatum’s biggest issue has been in pass protection, a common theme for young running backs. Aside from that, he’s been dynamic when called upon.
3. Eli Bowen, DB
Defensive back [autotag]Eli Bowen[/autotag], the younger brother of safety Peyton Bowen, got snaps in big moments of the fourth quarter last week versus Tulane. With starting cheetah Kendel Dolby out, the Sooners were forced to shuffle some pieces around in the secondary, and one of the beneficiaries was Bowen.
Though his most natural position is at cornerback, Bowen is capable of playing safety and cheetah as well. He isn’t primed for a big role with Dolby likely to play against the Vols, but with Gentry Williams out and Woodi Washington moving around the defense, don’t be surprised if Bowen makes an appearance in OU’s secondary again this week.
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