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.
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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