Oklahoma Sooners emerging defensive superstar set to attack Auburn Tigers' major weakness in Week 5

The Oklahoma Sooners' pass rush has caught fire throughout the 2024 season, and it's helped propel their defense to a new level. Now, the Sooners are set to square off against an Auburn offense that's struggled to keep their quarterback clean.

Last week, the Sooners posted six sacks and 11 pressures on Tennessee. Just the week prior, they tallied 22 pressures and three sacks on Tulane.

On the season, Oklahoma's defense has posted 61 pressures and 16 sacks, averaging 15 pressures and four sacks per game. No team in the SEC has posted more sacks than Oklahoma this season.

Their leading sack artist, R Mason Thomas, is a key figure for Oklahoma's resurgent pass rush. Thomas leads the team in sacks with four, putting him tied for fifth in the Power 5. Thomas boasts a respectable 16.1% win rate, which puts him ahead of big names like James Pearce Jr., Jordan Burch, and Nic Scourton.

Related: Oklahoma Sooners' DE R Mason Thomas named Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week

However, it's his play on "true pass sets" that translates the most, as these are real reps without the offensive fluff of quick game and RPOs. R Mason Thomas has posted a 50%(!) win rate, with five pressures and two sacks on these plays. That win rate is tied for first place nationally and his 29.2 "pass rush productivity" number from PFF is also first place.

Now, Thomas has to take on an Auburn offense that has struggled to keep their quarterback clean this season. Particularly, Auburn's tackles have struggled, allowing 14 pressures and three sacks between the players rotating at those spots.

Additionally, Auburn's starting right tackle, Izavion Miller, popped up on the injury report this week as questionable to play.

This could be a huge blow to Auburn's offense, as Miller has been their best offensive lineman in general this year.

With their offense struggling to put up points, the Sooners will have to rely on R Mason Thomas leading the way as a pass rusher to keep shutting down opposing offenses. They'll need another productive day from Thomas this week against the Auburn Tigers.