Cheez-It Bowl 2020: 3 players to watch in Oklahoma State vs. Miami battle

3. Trey Sterling, Safety, Oklahoma State

With Miami’s star defensive ends in Jaelen Phillips and Quincy Roche opting out of the Cheez-It Bowl, this game will likely feature more scoring situations. Oklahoma State redshirt junior Trey Sterling will be one of the most talented defensive players on the field for either team.

He will be one of the most reliable defensive players for the Cowboys. Sterling and the Cowboys will face a Miami offense that is capable of efficiently driving the ball in the passing and running games. Sterling is a playmaker that can read the offense efficiently and react quickly.

In nine games this season, Sterling accumulated 61 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three pass deflections, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He is a great coverage player as well as one who can provide the big tackles in the run game or the passing games. He is also an explosive blitzer who can crash into the backfield and create chaos.

The Cowboys will be facing an offense that is ranked 27th in the nation in points per game (34) and 40th in total yards per game (414). This was due to the impact of high-powered dual-threat quarterback D’Eriq King and running back Cam’Ron Harris.

Sterling will need to be able to defend both playmakers while being relied on upon through multiple play settings. This will be a game where he could be the leading tackler and most impactful defensive player for Oklahoma State.