Oklahoma Sooners vs. TCU Horned Frogs: 5 Players to Watch

Sep 7, 2013; Norman, OK, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers receiver Kevin White (11) fumbles the ball int he third quarter against Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Cortez Johnson (22) safety Quentin Hayes (10) and linebacker Frank Shannon (10) at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The Oklahoma Sooners beat the West Virginia Mountaineers 16-7. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Eric Striker

While Grissom will be asked to contain Boykin on every snap of the game that he is on the field, there is another weapon OU has that is starting to come into his own. Last week, linebacker Eric Striker was the man who raced in and popped Tommy Rees to cause the first interception of the game.

While it is unfair to label young talent with unattainable expectations, Striker is this year’s Tony Jefferson, someone that the Sooners need to disrupt the offense. The best way to keep Boykin off balance is when Mike Stoops sends Striker on a blitz. Don’t be surprised to see Striker make another big play this weekend.

Sterling Shepard

By the end of the season, it might be Sterling Shepard that is the Oklahoma Sooners leading receiver and not Jalen Saunders. Week by week, the second generation OU Sooners receiver has been improving and he is turning out to be one of the offense’s top playmakers. Along with Saunders and Lacoltan Bester, this wide receiver unit might be the best since Ryan Broyles, Jaz Reynolds and Kenny Stills were playing together – and Reynolds is still here too.

Shepard is the most exciting receiver of the group and he should continue his strong play this week, as he is really earning the trust of Blake Bell in this offense.

Frank Shannon

The OU linebackers are studs once again. I already mentioned Striker, who is almost like a freelance safety in a linebacker’s body, but now I will mention Frank Shannon who is almost always leading the tackles race for OU. This weekend he plays against a close friend in Paul Dawson, a player who played in the Dallas Skyline High School area along with Shannon and Corey Nelson.

"“For me, it’s like a rivalry game,” Shannon said. “My best friend’s on the team. I don’t wanna lose to him, so we’ve gotta win.”"

The Oklahoma Sooners vs. TCU Horned Frogs game kicks off at 6 p.m. CST and will air on FOX.