Okay, a Butkus Award semifinalist and the heartbeat of the Oklahoma football team is probably too high-profile to qualify as “under the radar,” but it’s Senior Night and I’m going to bend the rules. Stutsman was everywhere against Missouri, totaling 19 tackles and preventing the Tigers from getting a rushing attack at all. He’s going to say all the right things, but Stutsman’s final game at Owen Field means a lot to him and his family, and I expect we’ll see another fantastic performance from the talismanic linebacker. And Oklahoma will need it. Jalen Milroes ability on the ground causes Alabama’s entire offensive operation to fail. The teams that have had success bottling him up, Vanderbilt and Tennessee, were able to turn around the Crimson Tide. Any path to a shocking OU victory runs through a night to remember for Stutsman – something he is fully capable of doing on Saturday.

–Ryan Chapman

Even though Saturday marks Senior Day in Norman, the Sooners will lean heavily on a true freshman against the Crimson Tide. Coming off a career-high 56 yards on nine carries against Missouri running back Xavier Robinson said he burns his red shirt appears to be in line for a bigger share of the team’s carries this week when Alabama comes to town. If the Oklahoma City product puts in another strong performance, it could be enough to fuel Oklahoma’s offense and keep the Sooners in contention against a formidable opponent that has been able to light up the scoreboard this season.

–Randall Sweet

The Sooners will need explosive play to have a chance to beat Alabama. With receiver Deion Burks injured and sidelined again, the fast one Brenen Thompson may be OU’s best chance at a big game. Thompson has reached the end zone twice this season, and the last time was a 54-yard touchdown connection Jackson Arnoldproving what Thompson is capable of when he and Arnold are given the time they need. Alabama could also overlook the 6-foot-4 receiver and focus on a bigger threat like Jalil Farooqpotentially freeing Thompson, if only for one big play.

– Dekota Gregory

Oklahoma’s wide receiver room has been a hot topic of conversation all season. The Sooners have been beaten up and the passing game has been extremely quiet. Whether it’s the quarterback spot, the offensive line or the shorthanded receiver group, it’s been an overall failure. Jalil Farooq has been injured for most of the season, but returned to the lineup two weeks ago against Missouri. He was expected to have a breakout campaign, but injuries have hampered his time on the field. Farooq looked rusty in the first week back and it looked like he may not have fully trusted his foot yet. However, with a bye week in the past, now is Farooq’s time to make a difference. Oklahoma will need him desperately with no other starting receivers healthy, and could force-feed him early and often.

– Ross Lovelace