Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas Longhorns: 5 Players to Watch
OCT 13, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooner cornerback Aaron Colvin (14) celebrates with the golden hat trophy after the game against the Texas Longhorns during the red river rivalry at the Cotton Bowl. The Sooners beat the Longhorns 63-21. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Erik Striker
The biggest, and most memorable moment in the history of the Red River Rivalry was when safety Roy Williams turned into Superman and flew over the line of scrimmage to slap the ball out of quarterback Chris Simms hands. The ball ended up in the arms of Teddy Lehman, who scored the touchdown to secure the win for the Oklahoma Sooners. Bob Stoops missed the play when it happened, watching another area of the field, and I missed it as well, as I was sitting in the opposite end zone when it happened.
But it is something I can watch over and over on replays and just smile.
That brings me to Erik Striker, the closest thing this year’s Sooners have to a Roy Williams player. Striker is a linebacker, but he is a blitzer who can make plays and wreck havoc for any offense and the Sooners might want him to do the same this week. With Corey Nelson out for the season with his torn pec, Striker will need to play stronger than ever to help cover it.
Dominique Alexander
You might expect to see Frank Shannon here, since he is now the Sooners’ biggest playmaker on defense without Corey Nelson in the lineup. However, the player that needs to be watched is Nelson’s replacement – which should be freshman Dominique Alexander. Corey Nelson chose to put off his surgery for a week to help Alexander prepare better for this big start in the Red River Rivalry.
It’s time to see the future and there is not a bigger stage for him to showcase his skills than the Oklahoma vs Texas game.
Aaron Colvin
With Corey Nelson out, the Sooners lost their defensive leader and team captain. That is where Aaron Colvin needs to step up. While Nelson was the team captain, Colvin is widely considered the best player on the Sooners’ defense. The Oklahoma cornerback only has 15 tackles on the season but has yet to notch his first interception of the season. This is mostly because teams throw away from him, but if he can shut down the Longhorns’ top receiver, he has done his job. What is more important is for him to provide the leadership that was lost with Nelson.