TCU preview: Frogs, Sooners seek inside track to league title
TCU (3-1, 1-0) vs. Oklahoma (1-2, 0-0)
When, where: 4 p.m. Saturday, Amon G. Carter Stadium
TV: KDFW/Ch. 4
No. 21 TCU is back in the Associated Press’ college football poll and prominently positioned in the Big 12 championship race. TCU shares the top spot in the league standings with No. 13 Baylor (4-0, 1-0). The Sooners, who lost two nonconference games to Top-10 opponents, are the defending Big 12 champs and were picked in July to repeat as champs by media members who cover the league. TCU finished second in the preseason media poll, meaning Saturday’s outcome could have a huge bearing on the final pecking order in the Big 12 standings.
In this matchup, several things stand out:
Where they are similar
Category | TCU | Oklahoma |
Scoring | 42.8 | 35.3 |
Yards allowed | 384.8 | 401 |
Yards allowed per play | 5.3 | 5.6 |
Turnover margin | Minus-2 | Minus-3 |
Where they are different
Category | TCU | Oklahoma |
Sacks | 14 | 5 |
Penalty yards | 83.8 | 41.3 |
Notable recent developments
TCU secured its first two interceptions of the season against SMU, breaking a three-game drought, and held an opponent without a touchdown for the first time since the 2014 season in a 33-3 victory. The Horned Frogs also lost center Austin Schlottmann for an extended stretch (broken ankle, per report by TCU radio crew), joining receiver/kick returner KaVontae Turpin (knee) on the list of key players sidelined by injuries. Oklahoma was idle last week after a 45-24 loss to No. 2 Ohio State on Sept. 17. The Sooners have been more aggressive this season in their use of RB Joe Mixon, who ranks third among Big 12 players in rushing (78.3 yards per game) and is second in all-purpose yards (181.7), with one kickoff return for a TD.
Trends: TCU and Oklahoma have played close games since the Horned Frogs joined the Big 12 for the 2012 season. The largest margin of victory by either school has been seven points, with the four games decided by a total of 15 points. The winner of this game has won at least a share of the Big 12 title in three of the last four seasons (TCU in 2014; Oklahoma in 2012, 2015). Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops ranks second among FBS coaches in career victories at his current school (180). TCU’s Gary Patterson is third (146). Over the past three seasons, TCU has the best overall record among Big 12 teams at 26-4 and the top conference mark at 16-3. Oklahoma ranks third in both lists: 20-9 overall, 13-5 in league play. The Sooners lead the series 10-5 mark, including a 5-2 record in Fort Worth.
Key players
TCU
LB Ty Summers | 39 tackles |
Aaron Curry, L.J. Collier and Tipa Galeai | Share league lead with 2.5 sacks each |
RB Kyle Hicks | 314 rushing yards, 20 receptions |
Oklahoma
LB Jordan Evans | 24 tackles, 2 TFLs |
LB Will Johnson | 17 tackles, 1 TFL |
RB Joe Mixon | 235 yards, 1 TD |
RB Samaje Perine | 149 yards, 2 TDs |
WR Dede Westbrook | 17 catches, 154 yards |
Significant statistics
TCU team
Scoring | 42.8 |
Passing yards | 380 |
Passing yards allowed | 254.2 |
Red zone defense | 93.8% |
TCU individual (Kenny Hill)
Passing yards | 371.8 |
Total offense | 413.2 |
Oklahoma team
Turnover margin | Minus-3 |
Oklahoma individual (Baker Mayfield)
Total offense | 265.7 |
Passing efficiency | 165.5 |
Jimmy Burch: 817-390-7760, @Jimmy_Burch
This story was originally published September 28, 2016 at 11:36 AM with the headline "TCU preview: Frogs, Sooners seek inside track to league title."