Oklahoma football returns home for a pivotal Big 12 and College Football Playoff showdown with TCU Saturday night.
Both the Sooners and Horned Frogs have hopes of working into the Top-4, but only one will leave Norman, Oklahoma with that chance this weekend. After claiming a 62-52 victory over Oklahoma State last Saturday, Oklahoma (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) positioned itself as the next-man-in as No. 5 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
Baker Mayfield went for just under 600 yards, sliding his name to the top of the Heisman charts. A senior and two-time Top-4 finisher for the award, has thrown for 3,226 yards with 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
Mayfield and Marquise Brown formed an incredible connection last week vs. the Cowboys, as the quarterback found his receiver nine times for a school-record 265 yards with two touchdowns. But Oklahoma isn’t just a pass-only offense, as Rodney Anderson went over 100 yards again and the Sooners had 187 as a team.
TCU (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) is in the same position as the Sooners, but they are still looking for at marquee victory. Head coach Gary Patterson has got the Horned Frogs back after a one-year absence from the national spotlight. Kenny Hill, a transfer from Texas A&M, has thrown for over 2,000 yards with 15 touchdowns. Darius Anderson is the leading rusher with 726 yards and seven scores.
The Horned Frogs are allowing just 14 points per game, a number sure to be tested by Mayfield and company, as they come in scoring 45 per with over 600 yards of total offense. The winner here will have a clear advantage in the race for one of two spots in December’s Big 12 title game.
Here’s a look at how you can watch Saturday’s Oklahoma-TCU contest:
Date: Saturday, Nov. 11
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Norman, Okla.
Venue: Memorial Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go
Keys to Victory
Unless he makes careless mistakes, Mayfield should be able to find his receivers and have another performance worthy of being added to his Heisman file. However, the key to the Sooners coming out on top rests with Rodney Anderson and Trey Sermon.
TCU is allowing just 70 yards on the ground, a number sure to be stretched by Anderson and Sermon if they are given ample carries. As a team, Oklahoma is averaging 213 yards rushing, with Anderson going for 147, 181 and 111 alone in his last three games.
Sermon, meanwhile, has 80 yards or more in three of his last four since a 148-yard performance against Baylor. If the Horned Frogs solve Anderson and Sermon, they’ll be able to put more pressure on Mayfield and possibly cause the senior to make mistakes. If not, it could be a long day for the TCU faithful.
Prediction
Mayfield looks as locked in as he ever has, throwing for over 300 yards in four of his last five, highlighted by the 24 of 36 for 598 showing vs.Oklahoma State. He’s also tossed 15 touchdowns in his last five.
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As noted before, if TCU struggles to slow down Anderson and Sermon, the Sooner will be able to mix them up on defense and take advantage. Hill and company will need to find a way to score points against an Oklahoma defense allowing 28 per game.
Prediction: Oklahoma 44, TCU 28