3 freshmen to keep an eye on for Oklahoma's rematch with Alabama

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The Oklahoma Sooners enter their first-round College Football Playoff game against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday night on a four-game winning streak. After losing to Ole Miss on the final weekend of October to drop to a 6-2 record, OU strung together four straight wins during their November to remember, beating Tennessee and Alabama on the road, and Missouri and LSU at home to reach the CFP in the second year of the 12-team playoff. 

Now, a rematch with the Tide awaits, as Norman is sure to be electric on Friday for a primetime extravaganza with everything on the line. As they have all season long, the Sooners will be counting on some true freshmen to try and help them gut out another big win. These players are certainly playing in the biggest game of their collegiate careers, and they’ve helped OU get to this point and have a really special season. 

Oklahoma can extend the season with a win this weekend, and we’ve got three true freshmen who can help them do that. Here’s the first-year players you need to be watching when the Sooners battle ‘Bama. 

1. Courtland Guillory, DB

Defensive back Courtland Guillory has been a key piece for OU’s defense all season long, and he’ll once again be starting at cornerback opposite Eli Bowen for the playoff run, with Gentry Williams out after having shoulder surgery. 

Guillory hung tough against Alabama’s excellent group of wide receivers in the regular season matchup in Tuscaloosa back in November, and he’ll have to do so again this week in Norman. He’s answered the bell all year, and the Sooners need that resilience to show up again in Round 1. 

2. Tory Blaylock, RB

Running back Tory Blaylock looked as healthy as he had in a while in the regular season finale against LSU, and the duo of him and Xavier Robinson in the backfield has to play well if OU’s offense is going to give the defense enough help to beat the Tide again. 

If both are fully healthy, Blaylock will likely be in an auxiliary role behind lead back Robinson, but he could see his role increase in a big way if Robinson is still banged up. OU has to get the running game going if they’re going to make noise in the CFP, and Blaylock can help do just that. 

3. Michael Fasusi, OL

Offensive lineman Michael Fasusi was the gem of OU’s 2025 recruiting class, and he’s started for most of the year at left tackle head of the CFP. He’ll be up against a stacked Alabama front that will look to take over the game when the Sooners have the ball. 

Oklahoma has to win the physicality battle up front on Friday, whether they’re running or passing the ball. They also have to limit penalties, as the margin for error looks to be extremely thin, just like the first matchup was. Both of those things lead you to the offensive line and to Fasusi, and the true freshman will have a lot of eyes on him in a huge game against the Tide. 

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 3 OU freshmen to watch in the CFP against the Crimson Tide

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