This will serve more as a refresher than anything else, because there’s certainly not going to be any “breaking news” here. That said, Oklahoma made its way to Orlando on Saturday to prepare for its bowl matchup with #13 Florida State. The Sooners have the longest active streak of consecutive winning seasons and with a 6-6 record heading into the Cheez-It Bowl that streak is absolutely in jeopardy. Even so, this is anything but an “all hands on deck” situation for OU as multiple key players are sitting the bowl game out due to the transfer portal and the NFL Draft.
Running back Eric Gray is the most prominent player to sit out the bowl game but probably not the most concerning. Gray led the team in rushing with 213 carries for 1,366 yards (6.4 YPC), and 11 touchdowns. He also caught 33 passes for 229 yards and was a second-team All-Big 12 selection. He’ll be replaced by freshman Jovantae Barnes and redshirt junior Marcus Major. Barnes was second on the team in rushing this season, recording 89 attempts for 411 yards (4.6 YPC) and four touchdowns while Major totaled 56 carries for 227 (4.1 YPC) and four scores.
The transfer portal took away receiver Theo Wease who had placed fourth on the team with 378 yards on 19 receptions. The junior receiver showed the type of potential he has as a big-play threat in Oklahoma’s season finale when he caught 3 passes for 123 yards and a score against Texas Tech. The Sooners still have a full arsenal of receiving targets led by Marvin Mims who has 1,006 yards, and 6 touchdowns, on 52 receptions this season.
For me, the most concerning absentees for Oklahoma on Thursday are going to be upfront where left tackle Anton Harris and right tackle Wanya Morris opted out to focus on the NFL Draft. Harris was a first-team All-Big 12 selection while Morris was a second-team All-Big 12 selection this season. Stepping up in their place will be freshman Jacob Sexton at left tackle and redshirt sophomore Tyler Guyton at right tackle. Sexton was a 4-start recruit #20 offensive tackle for the 2022 class. His future seems to be incredibly bright but this will be a “trial by fire” situation as he makes his first career start.
On the other side of the ball, Florida State hasn’t hasn’t had a single starter opt out in favor of the NFL Draft. Defensive end Jared Verse is considered to be a Top 10 pick in the draft and he’ll have a fresh pair of very green offensive tackles to pick on. Joining Verse in not opting out are safety Jammie Robinson, defensive tackle Fabien Lovett, and wide receiver Johnny Wilson.
Oklahoma is currently a 9.5 underdog to Florida State.
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