After mounting the largest comeback in program history, No. 9 Oklahoma (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) plays host to Gary Patterson and TCU (5-5, 3-4) under the lights.
The Sooners turned in its best performance of the season in the second half of the Baylor game a week ago. Alex Grinch’s defense swarmed to the football and Jalen Hurts went from looking like someone who could be replaced to the best player in college football after halftime.
Oklahoma must win and win convincingly to keep up its argument for the College Football Playoff.
Here are three keys for the Sooners as they take on a much improved TCU team from the beginning of the year.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
Is Oklahoma capable of putting a 60-minute game together?
That’s the ultimate question for Lincoln Riley’s team right now. Since the West Virginia game on Oct. 19, the Sooners have failed to play a full game. Either allowing someone to get back into it after a good start, or having to have a historic comeback to win.
Alex Grinch, Bill Bedenbaugh and Riley have preached about the mentality needed in order to put a full game together in post-practice media availabilities the last two weeks.
When style points are becoming more important, Oklahoma will need to put up a big showing today—even if it is against a .500 team like TCU.
STOP THE QUARTERBACK RUNNING
A detriment to Grinch’s defense the last three games has been the quarterback run game.
Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer finished with 65 yards rushing and two touchdowns a week ago (that accounts for sack yardage). Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy found rushing lanes after dropping back to pass and made defenders miss in open space. Kansas State quarterback Skylar Thompson rushed for four touchdowns in the Wildcats win.
TCU quarterback Max Duggan may be the most athletic of the group, and there is no doubt that Sonny Cumbie hasn’t seen it.
Oklahoma linebacker DaShaun White made some instinctive plays to force Brewer into tackles for loss in the second half, and the Sooners will need more of that against the young Duggan.
TAKE WHAT THE DEFENSE GIVES YOU
The biggest difference in the offense from the first half to the second half in Waco, Texas, was the matter of taking what Baylor gave to Oklahoma.
Jalen Hurts dumped passes off Kennedy Brooks. He found one-on-one matchups over-the-middle to Lee Morris and other receivers. There weren’t many times the issue was forced by Hurts or Riley in his play-calling.
TCU remains one of the more sound and discipline defenses in college football. Patterson will make sure to keep Riley and his offense in front of him. Can Hurts and co. deliver?
If so, Hurts may have one last Heisman push left in him if the second half at Baylor was any indication.
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