Nov 11, 2023; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) celebrates with Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
The Oklahoma Sooners are preparing for their biggest game of the 2024 season so far. OU is undefeated at 3-0 with wins over Temple, Houston, and Tulane. Brent Venables’ team now faces the challenge of the 3-0 Tennessee Volunteers, who have been one of the best teams in college football softball far this year.
It’s the SEC opener for both teams and Oklahoma’s first-conference game in their new league. A “College GameDay” audience and the drama that comes with Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel’s return to Norman makes this one of the biggest games of the college football season.
In games like these, your best players have to be at their best in order to come away with a win. In Oklahoma’s case, that burden may fall on senior linebacker Danny Stutsman more than anyone else.
As the Sooners transition from an offensive-minded team to a defensive-minded one, Stutsman has emerged as the heart of the defense, right in the middle of the field. But it’s his versatility that helps unlock this unit and could give Heupel and the Volunteers some unexpected problems.
Brent Venables and defensive coordinator Zac Alley run a version of the 4-3 defense, but Venables has long been putting his own spin on it. OU’s base set includes four down linemen, two cornerbacks, two safeties, two inside linebackers and a “cheetah” player.
The cheetah position is a hallmark of Venables’ defenses going back to his time at Clemson and is a combination of the linebacker and defensive back positions. Essentially, it allows OU to play both base and “nickel” defenses…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/danny-stutsmans-versatility-unlocks-oklahomas-112136981.html
Author : Sooners Wire
Publish date : 2024-09-19 11:21:36
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