Oklahoma Sooners Defensive Players to Watch Week 10 vs. Baylor
The Oklahoma Sooners would struggle to stop a running back in a phone booth this year which has led to a litany of problems on the defensive end, leading to their 5-3 season record.
The Sooners have allowed 40 points or more in half their games this season with a 1-3 record in those contests. They returned barely any formidable starters from 2021 but even late into October, they have struggled.
In order to beat the Baylor Bears Saturday, they will need as good a defensive effort as they have had all season.
DT Reggie Grimes
The Sooners haven't been known for their pass rush this year, but Grimes has stood above everyone else on the defensive line as a playmaker. Grimes has racked up four sacks and a forced fumble this year and Bears quarterback Blake Shapen has a propensity to hold the ball too long.
I'm not sure Oklahoma will win the line of scrimmage battle, but if Grimes can make some plays in the Bears' backfield, he might be able to take them out of their offensive game plan for a few drives.
CB Billy Bowman
Last Saturday, Bowman saw his first action since an MCL injury ruled him out during the October 1 loss to TCU and he's just trying to find his game again in what has been a promising season so far. Bowman has played a bigger role than many Sooners fans expected coming into the season and could have a lot of attention Saturday.
With him coming off an injury that limits his mobility and Baylor planning a run-heavy attack, Shapen could be keying on Bowman's side when he is on the field. If Bowman is back up to speed, it could limit some big plays from the Bears' offense.
P Michael Turk
This seems a little odd, but hear us out on this one. We're suckers for a good punter, and Michael Turk could end up being the Sooners' most valuable defensive player in this matchup with the Bears. The Arizona State transfer was a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2021 and was Oklahoma's only preseason All-Big 12 selection this year.
If Turk has a big game against the Bears, he can make life difficult for the Baylor offense. For a team that is going to run the ball a lot, field position could make it more methodical for the Bears to score.
Call it boring, but a big game like this will be won in the trenches and won with field position. I'm well aware of how often that lazy take has been said over the last century or so, but this one will come down to the nitty-gritty details.
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You can follow Cameron Stuart on Twitter @RealCamStuart
Covering Baylor for Inside The Bears and the Locked on Baylor podcast. You can follow me for more Baylor content at @realcamstuart on Twitter. Originally from Rockland, Massachusetts and a Baylor alum, so I might mix the occasional bias and/or Boston sports tweet in there every once in a while.