The Oklahoma Sooners will be far from 100% for what some college football experts believe is an elimination game for the College Football Playoff.
The No. 13 Sooners host No. 8 Ole Miss at 11 a.m. CT Saturday and will likely be down three expected starters, and then some, for the top-15 SEC matchup.
Gentry Williams, Derek Simmons injury update
The Sooners have nine players listed as out on the SEC Availability Report, including four offensive linemen. However, only one of the offensive linemen was expected to make an impact in starting right tackle Derek Simmons.
Simmons suffered a concussion against South Carolina last week. In his place, freshman Ryan Fodje is expected to make his first career start after spending his entire season so far as the backup right guard. Fodje cracking the starting lineup means both of the Sooners’ starting tackles for Saturday are freshmen with Michael Fasusi at left tackle.
Another notable absence for the Sooners on offense is wide receiver Keontez Lewis, who was also sidelined last week. In five games this season, Lewis has 19 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns. Running backs Jovantae Barnes and Taylor Tatum will also be out.
Defensively, the Sooners will be missing cornerback Gentry Williams. Williams has missed just one game so far this season while starting five at cornerback. He injured his shoulder in the first quarter against South Carolina last week. Williams’ absence could be trouble against Ole Miss, which has the No. 8 passing offense in the country while averaging 304.1 yards a game.
Defensive back Kendel Dolby also popped up as out on Saturday's availability report despite not being listed all week. Almost the same thing happened last week when Dolby appeared as out on the report on Friday evening.
“He’s just trying to figure everything out, but he’s practicing," OU head coach Brent Venables said this week. "So, that’s kind of where he is. He’ll be available.”