3 problematic OU players vs. Texas

The journey to the Red River Rivalry game has been vastly different for No. 1 Texas football and the No. 18 Oklahoma Sooners after the season's first month and a half or so. Outside of a slow start in the SEC opener at home against the Mississippi State Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago, Texas has been excellent to start the 2024 regular season.

Which OU players could give Texas football issues on each side of the ball in Red River?

Oklahoma, meanwhile, has been tremendous on defense under head coach Brent Venables this fall. But the Sooner offense has been mediocre to below average at best this season. Oklahoma is struggling to move the football, especially due to the offensive line play being so inconsistent, leading to a roller coaster ride on the scoreboard for the Sooners early this season.

The Sooners rank last in the SEC in total offense, rushing offense, passing offense, and yards per play.

However, on the defensive side of the ball, Oklahoma's linebacker and secondary units are arguably among the one or two best in the SEC. Oklahoma's defense has also lived off generating turnovers this season, leading the SEC with a whopping 2.6 turnovers forced per game.

Since you usually can throw out all logic from previous results for both the Longhorns and Sooners before Red River, it's very important to note which Oklahoma playmakers could come up with some "magic" against Texas this upcoming weekend.

Here are three problematic Oklahoma players to watch against the Longhorns in Red River on Oct. 12.

Robert Spears-Jennings, S

Among the many playmakers Oklahoma has in the defensive backfield this season, junior safety Robert Spears-Jennings is one of the most consistent and best at generating turnovers and setting the physical tone on the field for the entire Sooner defense.

Oklahoma's safety position is easily one of its best and deepest groups on the Sooner defense. Spears-Jennings has emerged as the most pleasant surprise for the Sooners at the safety position, with a group that includes notable standouts such as Billy Bowman and Peyton Bowen.

Spears-Jennings ranks second on the team in tackles (35), second in tackles for loss (3.5), and leads in fumbles forced (two).

Amid his breakout campaign after the season's first five games for the Sooners, Spears-Jennings has really excelled in defending the run from the box, blitzing opposing quarterbacks, and holding his own in coverage. Spears-Jennings leads the Oklahoma defense in zone and slot coverage grades among the Sooner DBs this season (per PFF).

Since the safety position is a pronounced strength for the OU defense, especially in pass coverage, it would be best for Texas to try and attack the Sooners one-on-one against their corners on the outside.