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A couple of developments out of Norman worth noting this evening...
First of all, backup middle linebacker Mike Balogun definitely won't play against BYU. His eligibility has been in question for a couple of weeks now, and resolution will not come in time for him to suit up against the Cougars.
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Secondly, with the release of Oklahoma's depth chart comes a few interesting notes.
Tight end Brody Eldredge, who had been taking snaps at center earlier in camp in the absence of starter Ben Habern, is today listed as the starting center. If that happens, he will have to change his jersey number from #83 to #50, if and while he plays the center position.
NCAA Football rules state that during a scrimmage down a team must have at least five players on the line of scrimmage numbered 50 through 79. If Eldredge kept his #83, OU would have to line up an extra ineligible receiver on every down to avoid penalty. So, if Eldredge is to be a tight end against BYU, he'll wear #89, and if he's going to be a center, he'll wear #50. And, technically, he could change jerseys during the course of the game, as long as the intent is not to "deceive opponents" (Rule 1-4-2-e).
The referee will traditionally ask a head coach before the game if any unusual circumstances should be expected, and assuming the "jersey switch" were planned, the official would likely request that a linesman be notified at the time of the switch, so he could in turn notify the referee, who could in turn notify the opposing head coach. The Eldredge situation brings up an interesting possibility, and there's your would-be explanation.
I still think there's a chance guard/center Stephen Good (now listed as a backup left guard) will take snaps on Saturday, just as I think there's a chance projected starter Ben Habern could end up snapping. Either way, lots of "ifs," "eithers" and "ors" on the OU offensive line right now.
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In Balogun's absence, look for backup weakside linebacker Austin Box to be the primary reserve at both weak and middle.
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Of the 47 non-special teams players listed on the OU depth chart, 11 are true or redshirt freshmen.
Of the 46 non-special teams players listed on its two-deep, BYU has only five true or redshirt freshmen listed.
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Update: contrary to one of my earlier reports, the roof at Cowboys Stadium will indeed be closed for Saturday night's game. This means BYU will play the first two games of its seasons in domed stadiums.
BYU's last game in a domed stadium was in 2000, as the Cougars lost 42-14 to Dwight Freeney and Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. In 1999, BYU was also indoors, losing to Marshall 21-3 at the Motor City Bowl inside the Pontiac Silverdome.
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