Threat Assessment: A deep dive into the Mountaineers before week 4

Get to know the strength, weakness, and threat level of West Virginia before they roll into town to play the Sooners in week 4

Sep 12, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Jared Bartlett (50) tackles Eastern Kentucky Colonels quarterback Parker McKinney (18) during the third quarter at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

Jared Bartlett, Bandit Linebacker

Before the 2021 season, Bartlett had started just two games and recorded 3.5 sacks. The redshirt sophomore destroyed that total with three sacks and a forced fumble vs. Virginia Tech. The 6-2 edge rusher demonstrated tremendous bend against the Hokies’ offensive tackles, manipulating his body under their pad level to lay hands on Burmeister.

It doesn’t matter if Bartlett’s outburst vs. Virginia Tech was an isolated occurrence or a sign of things to come; the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Game deserves the utmost respect by OU’s offensive line.

How Spencer Rattler handles, the pressure Bartlett generates off the edge could make or break his Heisman hopes.

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