TCU Horned Frogs vs Oklahoma Sooners Game Preview: How to watch, start time, betting line, and prediction
WEEK 11 GAME PREVIEW HOME PAGE
TCU OUTLOOK
Two teams that have one thing in common: losses to Iowa State. Which one was more frustrating? No idea. Both were on the road, and like I said, weird things happen in Ames. The magnitude of this game grew exponentially with the rise of TCU, and significant playoff implications ride on this one.
Remember the Trevon Boykin days when TCU blitzed teams with points and played solid defense? Good times. This team doesn't score at that same rate, but they play some great defense. Gary Patterson's turnaround has fans in Fort Worth thinking playoff after they were screwed in 2014 by the committee. A win in this game would make it difficult to ignore them this time around. It's pretty much up to the offense to do their part regardless of how the defense plays.
Kenny Hill has ditched his nickname of "Kenny Trill" and his game has mostly reflected that. Sure, there's still some flair in his game and personality, but he's not going to light up defense like he did South Carolina when he was at Texas A&M. That might be just what his team needs though. We all know how good Oklahoma's offense is, and how well TCU's defense plays against that group will determine what the offense needs to do. Hill's unit has the talent and depth to keep up, but can they do it in the biggest game of their season?
The matchup that everyone will be watching is Patterson's unique defense against the Sooners offense. Patterson's scheme might just be the perfect counter to Oklahoma's attach, and whoever can win this explosive proverbial chess match will have the advantage in the outcome.
OKLAHOMA OUTLOOK
Right when you think you have the Sooners figured out, they add depth. Baker Mayfield's backfield and receivers were question marks going into this season. Who would replace Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon? Which receiver would be Mayfield's go-to target? Both questions have been answered, but not directly.
Trey Sermon and Rodney Anderson have been solid while joining Mayfield in the backfield, and neither one of them is trying to replicate what their predecessors did. Which is just what this offense needs. As for a favorite target, Mayfield doesn't have one. He has five. Mark Andrews returned this year to become a reliable target and the Sooners leading receiver in receptions. Marquise Brown might be better than Dede Westbrook, and CeeDee Lamb has taken off out of nowhere. Kentucky transfer Jeff Badet has also been a valuable contributor, and fullback Dimitri Flowers continues to prove why the term "fullback" is just a label. It still doesn't define him. Just ask his cousin. Last week, Flowers shook Oklahoma State's Tre Flowers on a route that led to a touchdown. Not very nice, but it proves that Flowers is far from your typical fullback. Ice up Tre.
Oklahoma has been on a tear this year, and have wins over Ohio State and Oklahoma State, which still look good despite the slippage by both teams. Their loss to Iowa State doesn't look bad because the Cyclones are also still ranked. But what happens if those teams continue to struggle and end up towards the bottom of the rankings or even out of the Top 25? Does that hurt Oklahoma's stock? I don't think it's a realistic scenario, and beating TCU would add another team that would have to implode for the Sooners resume to plummet.
PREDICTION
How do you pick a score for this game? Oklahoma's defense is capable of putting up points in a hurry, but TCU's defense might be the counter that the Sooners can't handle. TCU's offense has been relatively mellow compared to Oklahoma's, but you don't need to score a ton when your defense plays on a high level. I guess it depends on who you believe in more. I don't know if I'll ever figure that out before the game starts. Also, haven't picked an upset in a while. Might be due for one.
My pick: UPSET SPECIAL: TCU 34 Oklahoma 31
