Tag: TCU Football

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 is what Sooners Wire’s Kegan Reneau will be watching for in the Sooners’ game against TCU.

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JALEN HURTS GETTING COMFORTABLE

In the second half during Oklahoma’s comeback against Baylor, we saw a side of Jalen Hurts we hadn’t seen quite yet.

He was making confident throws on third down. Reading and understanding coverage pre and post-snap. Never put a ball into harm’s way.

Is this a sign of Hurts getting comfortable in Lincoln Riley’s system? I think it could be and something I’ll be keeping a close eye on.

KENNETH MURRAY BOUNCE BACK?

One of the more surprising developments of the last three weeks is Kenneth Murray regressing from a formidable force and maybe first-round NFL draft pick back to the inconsistent player he was his first two seasons.

Murray was over-running his rushing lanes in the quarterback run game and was getting lost in inside zones.

He started to play better as the Baylor game wore on, but Oklahoma needs him back to where Murray was the first seven weeks—the most physically imposing player on the football field.

BIGGER ROLE FOR RHAMONDRE STEVENSON

With Trey Sermon’s season-ending injury, the door opened for JUCO transfer Rhamondre Stevenson.

Stevenson fumbled once and jumped on it quickly, but he flashed in his opportunities. He is a running back Oklahoma hasn’t had since Samaje Perine was bulldozing defenders from 2014-16.

Riley had to see it, and I expect him to get an even bigger load of work against TCU.

FREE THE FRESHMEN

It’s time.

The Era of Trejan Bridges, Jadon Haselwood, Austin Stogner and Theo Wease is here.

CeeDee Lamb is expected to be back, but it’s time to unleash these four as they make Oklahoma’s offense that much deeper and more explosive.

CONTAINING THE QUARTERBACK

Mentioned this in my three keys, but Max Duggan may be the most athletic of the four quarterbacks Oklahoma will have faced the last four games.

How Alex Grinch adjusts to limiting Duggan’s running ability is a sign of how he will attack athletic quarterbacks in the future.

SENIOR DAY

Is there a day that epitomizes college athletics more than senior day?

A fan base surrounds themselves around players who have put everything into the program they love. Neville Gallimore, Nick Basquine, Lee Morris, Parnell Motley and Jalen Hurts should receive a warm applause.

Always is a cool sight.

PLAYOFF PUSH

Style points.

That’s what Oklahoma needs to maintain pace in this College Football Playoff race.

If Riley has an opportunity, do the starters play longer than normal in order to keep a lead? I think he has to at this point.

Oregon travels to Arizona State and Utah plays at Arizona.

The Sooners will need some help, but hurting themselves by allowing this game to stay close could leave them with even more ‘ifs’ about the 2019 season.

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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 biggest matchups in the Sooners’ game against TCU.

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TCU DEFENSIVE LINE VS. OKLAHOMA OFFENSIVE LINE

Baylor defensive lineman James Lynch had his way against Oklahoma’s inexperienced offensive line.

That should have this experienced and deep TCU defensive line foaming at the mouth. Corey Bethley, Ross Blacklock and Shameik Blackshear are some of the more physical and talented defensive linemen in the conference.

How Adrian Ealy and R.J. Proctor respond at tackle, as well as the three interior offensive linemen, will loom large on the outcome of this game.

JALEN REAGOR VS. OKLAHOMA SECONDARY

TCU’s Jalen Reagor is a blast from recruiting past.

The one-time Oklahoma commit has turned into one of the most explosive receivers in college football and a top NFL draft prospect. With Baylor’s Denzel Mims success against the Sooners’ secondary, this will be a huge matchup to watch.

Baylor attacked Alex Grinch’s defense specifically into the boundary and with the slot receiver and Mims in one-on-one matchups. Reagor lines up all over the TCU offense and will be a huge test for a battle-tested Oklahoma secondary.

LINCOLN RILEY VS. GARY PATTERSON

A chess match that is so much fun to watch once a year.

Offensive guru Lincoln Riley and defensive mastermind Gary Patterson are set to face off once again. The Oklahoma offense has been limited in terms of how they have attacked downfield opposed to year’s past, which plays right into Patterson’s hands.

The TCU defense will try to force Jalen Hurts to beat them with his arm. More than likely take away underneath throws with safety help over the top to make sure nothing gets going deep. It’s a strategy that has worked, but not against the caliber of quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.

This chess match between the two may be the best yet since Riley arrived at Oklahoma and will be a lot of fun to watch.

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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.

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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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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 is everything you need to know about Oklahoma’s game against Baylor.

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WHERE: Norman, Oklahoma

WHEN: 7 p.m. CT

HOW TO WATCH: FOX

HOW TO LISTEN: Sooner Sports Radio Network—KOKC AM 1520 and KRXO 107.7 FM in OKC, KMOD FM 97.5 and KTBZ AM 1430 in Tulsa (click here for more options if not in either of those markets)

HOW TO STREAM: FOX Sports Go, FOX Sports App

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