Hot 11: Ohio State
Oklahoma's 31-16 win over Ohio State may have resulted in a lot of talk about Baker Mayfield but he was very, very far from the only star in Lincoln Riley's first huge win. Whether it was a defense that shocked many by being stingy against the Buckeyes or an offense that finally got out of it's own way in the second half the Sooners had plenty of stars. The Hot 11 takes a look at the best of the best and acknowledges a bunch of worthy applicants were left off.
11. Cedarian Lamb
AP
Stats: Five receptions for 61-yards.
Analysis: This was the type of game that had plays that people will remember forever and though Lamb may not have had the deep touchdown that seemed possible when he was underthrown by Baker Mayfield look no further than his first catch to see his value. In traffic on a third down Lamb made a tough catch while taking a hit to get the Sooners going. His maturity was on full display on Saturday night.
Last Week: N/A
10. Marquise Overton
AP
Stats: Two tackles (one solo), one quarterback hurry.
Analysis: It is a little hard to believe that Overton is playing at this level after spending the spring and summer receiving little fanfare or 'buzz' about his performances. Overton is not only the strong run defender that he was for Oklahoma back in 2015 but he is also starting to move the pocket and showing ability as a pass rusher.
Last Week: No. 7
9. Trey Sermon
USA Today Sports
Stats: 17 carries for 62-yards and three receptions for 23-yards and a 10-yard touchdown.
Analysis: Sermon was expected to play a role but could anyone have expected him to be so important to the Sooners win? It doesn't seem possible that anyone could have foreseen it. Sermon ran tough and was a near perfect surprise for the Buckeyes who clearly weren't ready for a back as physical as Sermon and though his stats are impressive, don't overlook his help in pass blocking for big portions of the game.
Last Week: N/A
8. Jeff Badet
AP
Stats: Five receptions for 82-yards.
Analysis: Badet had a few rough moments but it does not outweigh the positive impact he had and the reality that Ohio State spent a good portion of it's efforts making sure he didn't get behind their defense. As he continues to find his feet he'll get nothing but better and become a true weapon throughout Big 12 play.
Last Week: No. 9
7. Orlando Brown
USA Today Sports
Stats: N/A.
Analysis: When Oklahoma had real running success, it often came to running to the left. And on those occasions you can almost invariably see Oklahoma's All-American left tackle sweeping away any remnants of the Buckeyes defensive line. The big man also was a big part of the Sooners offense coming out on point thanks to an impassioned speech before kickoff.
Last Week: No. 2
6. Parnell Motley
USA Today Sports
Stats: Eight solo tackles, one tackle for loss (one yard), one interception, one pass break-up.
Analysis: Motley is starting to look like the guy that everyone spent all spring and summer talking about. As Obo Okoronkwo keeps repeating 'the ball likes him'. He bated a throw from J.T. Barrett on his first interception and his second 'should have been' pick was simply a corner doing a great job staying in phase and Barrett taking a chance that his receiver could make something happen. Against Motley, there was little chance of that on Saturday night.
Last Week: N/A
5. Emmanuel Beal
USA Today Sports
Stats: Nine tackles (five solo), 1.5 tackles for loss (five yards), .5 a sack (four yards).
Analysis: Beal has long been a whipping boy for Sooner fans and media alike but when a guy plays as Beal did against Ohio STate, you can't help but take notice. He was Oklahoma's leading tackler and was all over the field in both the run and pass game. His speed helped contain some of the Buckeyes perimeter running game and made it clear why Mike Stoops has shown him so much confidence so far this fall.
Last Week: N/A
4. Bobby Evans
AP
Stats: N/A.
Analysis: Bobby Evans continues to impress and continues to be Oklahoma's most dominant pass blocker. On the night one elite Buckeye defender after another found no joy and in particular returning Big 10 defensive lineman of the year Tyquan Lewis will be glad to no longer be dealing with Evans.
Last Week: No. 6
3. Dimitri Flowers
USA Today Sports
Stats: Seven receptions for 98-yards and a 36-yard touchdown.
Analysis: You could follow it on twitter ex-Sooner great fullbacks Trey Millard and J.D. Runnels were enjoying watching the massive performance from their Sooner fullback brethren. It was the perfect game for people around the nation to come to the reality that Flowers is flat out, regardless of position, one of Oklahoma's best players. Run game, pass game (catching and blocking) there literally isn't any aspect where Flowers didn't make a huge impact.
Last Week: N/A
2. Obo Okoronkwo
USA Today Sports
Stats: Six tackles (four solo), 2.5 tackles for loss (nine yards), 1.5 sacks (six yards).
Analysis: That is the guy, this is the guy that has flashed so many times since the start of his Oklahoma career and really all the way back to high school. Snap in and snap out Okoronkwo was giving the Buckeyes fits and taking advantage of the bold belief that he could be blocked one on one by Isaiah Prince. And it's a belief that Mike Stoops took full advantage of.
Last Week: No. 5
1. Baker Mayfield
USA Today Sports
Stats: 27-35 for 386-yards and three touchdowns (36, 18, 10).
Analysis: As great as Flowers and Okoronkwo were, there really couldn't be any doubt about this pick, could there? Mayfield had a performance that your grandchildren will talk about as if they were there. The Sooners senior signal-caller evade one Buckeye defender after another while delivering so many perfect passes. His throw to Mykel Jones in the third quarter is one that should be remembered for all time.
Last Week: No. 3
