Oklahoma State Cowboys Defensive Players to Watch vs. Texas Longhorns
On Saturday in Arlington, Texas the No. 7 Texas Longhorns will be taking on the No. 18 Oklahoma State Cowboys for the rights to the Big 12 title.
For Texas, the game has slightly higher stakes as they are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the College Football Playoff. A victory along with teams such as Alabama, Oregon, and Florida State losing may be just enough to punch their ticket to the playoff, but a loss to the Cowboys will end their playoff hopes before the committee could even get a chance to decide if they belong.
Unlike their offense, which ranks among the nation's best, the Cowboys' defense is towards the bottom of the country in total defense, ranking as the No. 112 unit in the country. However, that doesn't mean they don't have some talented playmakers to look out for.
Oklahoma State linebacker Nickolas Martin
SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
Here are the players to watch on Oklahoma State's defense on Saturday when Texas faces the Cowboys.
LBs Nickolas Martin and Collin Oliver
While Texas has one of the better offensive lines, they are not immune from giving up sacks. Especially since Quinn Ewers isn't the most mobile quarterback, he will hold the ball a tad too long at times which is part of the reason why he has been sacked 24 times this year. Oklahoma State's linebacker duo of Nickolas Martin and Collin Oliver have accounted for 12 of the team's 24 sacks with six apiece, while also forcing a combined five fumbles.
If the pocket doesn't hold up long enough for Ewers, chances are that either one of these guys or both will be there to greet him in the backfield. Oliver is also dangerous in pass coverage, as he is tied for the team lead in pass deflections with five.
S Cameron Epps
Quinn Ewers has taken major strides in protecting the ball this season, as he is willing to take what the defense gives him and throw to a check-down when appropriate. However, while his deep ball is better than what it was last year when he was overthrowing the ball pretty much every try, his adjustment has been to put more loft under the ball, which has given defenses some chances to make plays. Oklahoma State safety Cameron Epps is in charge of securing the back line and leads the team with three picks.
He will likely be shaded over to help out a corner in covering Xavier Worthy and can make Ewers pay for a poorly thrown ball.
