Oklahoma and Nebraska used to look each other eye to eye and have epic battles. That time has passed, and now the two programs couldn’t be in more different places.
Oklahoma is still a national name and, in some eyes, ascending under first-year head coach Brent Venables.
The Cornhuskers returned to Norman last year in the first matchup between the two teams since Nebraska left for the Big Ten. The Sooners went on to win that game 23-16. A year later, things look different on both sides.
Neither head coach from that game remains, as Scott Frost was fired this past weekend after underwhelming during his tenure at his alma mater. Lincoln Riley dipped out on Oklahoma for Southern California.
This will be their first road test under rookie head coach Brent Venables. While Venables is no newcomer to this rivalry and coaching against Nebraska, the Cornhuskers won’t let the Sooners come and get a win without some resistance. They have an opportunity to rally around interim head coach Mickey Joseph.
As the Sooners get set for their first trip to Lincoln since the Cornhuskers 10-3 win in 2009, let’s take a look at three key players for the Oklahoma defense.