The line between starters and second-team players used to be like the Great Wall of China. There was no mistaking who was on which side. But at several spots, those lines don’t exist for Oklahoma. On any given series as many as three different players could be on the field at one position.

“We just believe if you're giving maximum effort out there you're going to need to be spelled,” OU coach Bob Stoops said.

That belief has never been a secret. Since Stoops arrived in 1999, OU has heavily rotated its defensive ends and defensive tackles.

This year has been no different. Auston English, John Williams and Alonzo Dotson have been almost equally used at the two defensive-ends spots.

The tackles — DeMarcus Granger, Gerald McCoy, Steven Coleman, Cory Bennett, and last week Adrian Taylor — have moved in and out on a regular basis.

The goal has always been to have fresh players on the field at all times.

But this season the rotating as gone a lot further than just the defensive line.

Through the first three games, it’s not uncommon for the Sooners to play as many as 20 different offensive players in the first half.

The running back spot is a revolving door. Allen Patrick, DeMarco Murray and Chris Brown have been used as interchangeable parts.

Joe Jon Finley, Jermaine Gresham and Brody Eldridge have been used extensively at tight end. And at times, all on the same play.

The wide receivers are rarely the same two plays in a row.

Offensive line is where the substitutions have traditionally been the rarest, but even that has changed this season.

Trent Williams and Branndon Braxton have both been used extensively at right tackle this season and that should continue.

“Both of those guys are very capable starters and it’s pretty much each week who is playing the best,” offensive line coach James Patton said. “But even if one guy doesn’t start, he’s going to play a lot.”

That’s what happens when you have depth and experience at positions.