3 freshmen to watch for the Oklahoma Sooners against the Texas Longhorns

The Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns will square off once again in the annual Red River Rivalry matchup this Saturday. OU is 5-0 overall and 1-0 in the SEC heading into the rivalry game, while Texas is 3-2 and 0-1 in the SEC. Oklahoma took down Kent State last week at home, while Texas lost on the road against Florida.

Every single year, Red River is circled on college football's calendar. In 2025, both teams have reason to believe they are the better team and that they'll win in Dallas on Saturday afternoon. After the Sooners were defeated 34-3 last year in the Cotton Bowl, they're looking for revenge against the Longhorns.

OU will be relying heavily on a few true freshmen in this game, with starters on multiple sides of the ball that were playing high school football this time last year. Texas may be reeling a bit after a tough loss last week, but there's no way they'll be overlooking Oklahoma with so much on the line.

Here are three true freshmen to watch when the Sooners tangle with the Longhorns

1. Michael Fasusi, OL

Left tackle Michael Fasusi has made just two starts this season, due to injuries. When he's been on the field, he's looked like one of OU's best offensive linemen, even as a true freshman, and the Sooners will need him this week in his first OU-Texas game.

With both offensive lines under the microscope heading to South Dallas, if the Sooners can protect the quarterback (whether it's John Mateer or Michael Hawkins Jr.) and open up some holes in the running game, they could really give themselves and their defense an advantage against a Texas offense that isn't humming right now.

2. Courtland Guillory, DB

Cornerback Courtland Guillory got his first taste of the SEC a few weeks back against Cam Coleman and Auburn. Against Texas' fleet of wide receivers, we'll get to see how much he learned from a tough day at the office back in September.

The Longhorns have certainly seen what Guillory put on tape against the Tigers, and Brent Venables was certain that Guillory would be better for having gone through tough reps as a true freshman. However, don't be surprised if Steve Sarkisian and the 'Horns go after Guillory some if he's left on an island. He'll need to be ready for the challenge in a game where points will be at a premium.

3. Tory Blaylock, RB

We don't know whether Mateer or Hawkins will be the starter at the State Fair of Texas, but Venables did say after the Kent State game that he doubts Mateer will be healthy enough to go. If it is indeed Hawkins taking the snaps for the second straight week and the second straight year in Red River, he'll need help from his backfield mates to get the job done.

Running back Tory Blaylock is OU's leading rusher this year through five games, but the Sooners still need more from their running game on offense. Texas' defense is excellent, so it could be tough sledding for the ballcarriers, but if Blaylock can make a few big runs, it could take the pressure off of Hawkins having to win the game throwing the ball from the pocket.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 3 freshmen to watch our for when the Sooners face the Longhorns