The Oklahoma Sooners are still looking to secure bowl eligibility in 2024, needing one more victory to get that job done. It’ll be a tall task this week, as the Sooners will host the Alabama Crimson Tide in front of a primetime, national television audience in Week 13.
OU has had to rely on more freshmen than usual this season due to injuries and poor play at multiple positions, especially on offense. So many young players have been asked to step up, with varying results.
As the Sooners look to pull off a huge upset on their home field, they’ll be once against counting on first-year players to play a major role all night long. Here are three true freshmen to keep your eye on when Oklahoma hosts Alabama.
1. Taylor Tatum, RB
Running back [autotag]Taylor Tatum[/autotag] could have had one of the plays of the year against Missouri when he connected with quarterback Jackson Arnold on a halfback throwback pass that scored a touchdown to tie the game at 16 apiece. Instead, the OU defense gave up the lead and Arnold gave the game away with under a minute left.
Tatum didn’t jump off the page in his first start against the Tigers, but he’ll have to against the Tide if Barnes can’t play or is limited. Tatum is the future of the running back position in Norman. He’s got the talent to impact the game in a variety of ways. It’s time for him to take another step forward towards being the full-time feature back next season.
2. Xavier Robinson, RB
Two running backs on this list show how crucial the OU rushing attack will be in this game. [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] was the best back the Sooners had against the Tigers, and he won’t redshirt this season, meaning he’ll be a full go over the last two weeks. He’ll be needed in a big way if Barnes can’t go or is hampered by his injury.
The local product doesn’t have the same burst or explosiveness as Tatum, but he runs hard behind his pads and can get the tough yards between the tackles. The best drive of the game two weeks ago came when Robinson was fed the ball again and again in the fourth quarter. His efforts set up Tatum’s touchdown pass to Arnold.
More: Key matchups to watch for Oklahoma vs. Alabama
3. Eli Bowen, DB
One of OU’s best true freshmen this season, defensive back [autotag]Eli Bowen[/autotag] was in perfect coverage on the game-tying touchdown against Missouri’s Theo Wease, Jr. However, the larger wideout came down with the ball in the corner of the endzone.
Bowen is by far Oklahoma’s best cover corner and will have to have a big game for the Sooners this week.
That’s because the Crimson Tide employs fellow true freshman Ryan Williams, who is already one of the best wide receivers in all of college football. Williams will be a handful for the SEC for years to come, including the Sooners again next year when they make the return trip to Tuscaloosa. Bowen may be matched up 1-on-1 against Williams a lot this week, so he’ll have to play a whale of a game.
The Sooners and the Crimson Tide will get going at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ABC.
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