Oklahoma St. vs. Texas A&M Week 4: Big 12 Showdown Will Be Decided by 5 Players

The Oklahoma State-Texas A&M game is one of the biggest matchups in college football this week, and it will be decided by which key players on each side step up and play the best.

There are five guys who will have the biggest impact on this matchup of top 10 teams.

(Note: Players are not listed in any particular order.)

Markelle Martin

Not many defense players from these two teams would jump into the minds of a casual fan, but Markelle Martin is a guy who will definitely have a big impact on this game.

Martin is the leader of a continuously improving Oklahoma State defense and has averaged 7 tackles per game during this early part of the season.

He'll need to be very active from the get-go in defending both the passing and rushing attacks of Texas A&M in order for Oklahoma State's defense to be successful.

Cyrus Gray

Cyrus Gray is a name that people will begin hearing more and more of as this season goes along.

He's already ran for 233 yards and four touchdowns, and he'll be looking to do more good things against an Oklahoma State defense that allowed over 300 rushing yards to Tulsa this past weekend.

Gray helps provide balance to the offense and is vital to the Aggies' potential success.

Ryan Tannehill

This time last season, Tannehill was one of the top receivers on Texas A&M's team. Now he's the field general.

He's thrown for 583 yards and four touchdowns, all while posting a 72.3 completion percentage.

Not too shabby for a "receiver."

Tannehill will have time to throw and will be supported by a great running game. All he'll have to do is make the throws he should make. If he does, A&M will win this game.

Brandon Weeden

Brandon Weeden is on pace to top his record-setting season from a year ago, having thrown for eight touchdowns and over 1,000 yards.

However, he's also thrown six interceptions; he only threw 13 in 13 games last season.

Weeden has got to stop pressing and let the game flow through him more naturally. He must learn that he doesn't have to make every play and that it is more important to make good decisions than to take unnecessary risks with unlikely payoffs.

He plays big in big games, so he'll do all that.

Justin Blackmon

Justin Blackmon is one of the biggest and best playmakers in the entire country.

He's already got over 300 yards and three touchdowns catching the ball.

Is there anyone who can really shut this guy down?

If you try to play him one-on-one, he'll abuse you. If you try to put a safety over the top, he'll outrun you. If you double him, he'll make spectacular catches. Even if you keep OSU from getting him the ball, he'll still draw coverage away from their other fantastic wide outs.

He's the biggest key to this game. If he goes off, OSU will win. If Texas A&M can slow him down, they will win.