The Oklahoma Sooners have finally reached [autotag]SEC[/autotag] play, and their first conference game in the new league will come against none other than the Tennessee Volunteers.
Both teams are undefeated at 3-0 as we head into week four, but only one team can walk off of Owen Field unbeaten on Saturday night. The game of the week in college football has massive implications for both teams.
OU has announced their game captains for this prime-time matchup, as head coach [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] has chosen six players to lead Oklahoma into battle at home.
Two players will represent the offense, both coming from the offensive line. [autotag]Febechi Nwaiwu[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Tarquin[/autotag] are first-time captains in Norman, and both transferred into the program this offseason.
Nwaiwu has been a staple at right guard after coming over from North Texas, serving as a reliable force on the offensive line.
Tarquin transferred in from USC and played tackle on both sides of the line through three games. He’s had ups and downs, but has been able to stay healthy, a desirable trait among OU offensive linemen right now.
Defensively, four players will represent the Sooners. Defensive linemen [autotag]Damonic Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag] and [autotag]Gracen Halton[/autotag] get the call this week, along with defensive back [autotag]Woodi Washington[/autotag].
Williams was a big-time portal acquisition this spring, coming over from TCU He’s been a big part of a solid unit early this season for the Sooners.
Terry is a run-stuffing specialist up front for the Sooners, having been a part of the program for a couple of years now. He transferred from Tennessee in the 2023 portal cycle and spent time at Kansas. Terry will be facing a number of his former teammates on Saturday.
Halton is another interior defensive lineman who has popped this year for the Sooners, wreaking havoc in the backfield when he’s been in the game. His biggest play so far this season came on a safety against Houston in week two, providing the four-point margin that OU needed to win the game.
Washington is the longest-tenured member of the Sooners’ roster. He has moved around in the defensive backfield a lot this season, especially in the last two weeks. His best position still seems to be cornerback, and his veteran presence is key for the OU secondary.
Venables and the Sooners will kick things off against the Volunteers at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday night. The game will be broadcast on ABC.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X @AaronGelvin.