Six players under the gun for this year’s Red River Showdown

KENNETH MURRAY

Murray’s play at has been up and down through the season’s first four games. He’s had his share of moments but has also struggled at times.

In a game with the importance of OU-Texas, things are magnified, especially for a freshman at such a critical spot like middle linebacker.

The Sooners need strong linebacking play against the Longhorns and having Murray both make plays and avoid costly mistakes would go a long way toward stabilizing their defense.

AUSTIN SEIBERT

In a game that figures to be tight late, kickers can play a difference on either side. Both teams’ kickers have struggled to this point, though Seibert’s chances have been limited to two games. Against Iowa State last week, Seibert made one of his two field goals, missing a 44-yarder that had the distance but was pushed wide.

The Sooners need Seibert to find a groove again and quickly.

JORDAN THOMAS

The senior cornerback was tested some but not often early in the season but once Parnell Motley started making play after play, opposing offenses have attacked Thomas and with great success. Thomas has made plenty of big-time plays for the Sooners during his career but has struggled this season. With Collin Johnson lined up on the other side, and with Mike Stoops’ philosophy of keeping his corners on one side of the field vs. rotating them to get favorable matchups, Thomas figures to be spending some time matched up with Johnson on Saturday.

KRIS BOYD

With Holton Hill on the other side forcing teams to go away from him due to his success, Boyd’s role at cornerback is critical for the Longhorns.

Boyd has one interception and six pass breakups this season, but it’s Hill teams have avoided. That’s a big difference from last season when it was Hill who struggled in coverage of Oklahoma receiver Dede Westbrook. While Westbrook torched a lot of people last season, then-Sooners receiver Dahu Green didn’t. It was Boyd that had the bust that gave up a 51-yard pass to Green in last year’s game.

SAM EHLINGER

With Oklahoma’s secondary struggles, the Longhorns figure to try to put the ball in the hands of their top receiver, Collin Johnson. And even though Texas coach Tom Herman won’t say it, freshman quarterback Sam Ehlinger figures to be responsible for getting the ball to Johnson. Ehlinger threw for 380 yards and two touchdowns with an interception last week against Kansas State and rushed for 107 yards. While Ehlinger has the makings of a star, the environment in the Cotton Bowl can rattle younger players.

MALIK JEFFERSON

The linebacker struggled much of last season as a sophomore after being named the Big 12 preseason Defensive Player of the Year.

Now a junior, he;’s finally starting to play like a star level player but could us a big performance in a bigtime environment.

Last year he had seven tackles against the Sooners but didn’t get much pressure on Baker Mayfield after sacking him twice the season before.