Oklahoma State football: 3 Bold Predictions for Game vs Cincinnati

STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 14: Running back Ollie Gordon II #0 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts after a win over the Kansas Jayhawks with running back Elijah Collins #24 and linebacker Xavier Benson #1 at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Gordon rushed for 168 yards and had 116 yards receiving. Oklahoma State won 39-32. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK - OCTOBER 14: Running back Ollie Gordon II #0 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts after a win over the Kansas Jayhawks with running back Elijah Collins #24 and linebacker Xavier Benson #1 at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Gordon rushed for 168 yards and had 116 yards receiving. Oklahoma State won 39-32. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma State Linebacker Nick Martin tackles Kansas quarterback Jason Bean.
. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Nick Martin will have multiple sacks this game and be named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week

In addition to an offense that is clicking, this defense has learned Bryan Nardo’s 3-3-5 defense and is executing the plan adequately. The guys up front are playing well, led by sophomore Nick Martin.

So far on the year, Martin has 71 total tackles, which leads the Big 12 defensive players after eight weeks of play. He also has four sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. His interceptions came at a key time in the Kansas State game, with under four minutes of playing time. He has been dominant on the field.

The rest of this front line helps out as well. Linebackers Collin Oliver and Xavier Benson have barely passed Martin, with a combined 77 tackles on the year.

Martin has already made enormous strides from last year, where he only saw the field on limited snaps and had 14 tackles on the year. He looks to be the linebacker of the future for this Oklahoma State team. Expect big things from him at Boone Pickens Stadium this weekend.