The big moments are not going TCU’s way against OSU

This TCU-Oklahoma State game is vaguely reminiscent of Texas Tech’s visit to The Carter, no matter how much the Horned Frog faithful would prefer something more along the lines of the Baylor blowout.

Points and first downs are coming at a premium, for TCU especially. The Frogs have punted on five of eight drives. Each team, both of which came into the game more than 37 points per game, has found the end zone just once.

After kicker Brandon Hatfield got another extra point blocked late in the first quarter, by noted kick-blocking expert Vincent Taylor, TCU’s only lead of the game was an always shaky 6-0. The ensuing Oklahoma State drive was the exception to the rule here, a 9-play, 68-yard sustained effort that featured quarterback Mason Rudolph to Chris Lacy on both of its biggest plays.

7-6, Oklahoma State.

With TCU trailing 10-6, TCU went to the wildcat formation deep in Oklahoma State territory right before halftime. Kyle Hicks, taking the wildcat snaps, was stoned by the OSU defense on two wildcat runs before throwing an incompletion on fourth down with three seconds left before halftime.

Everything is magnified in a low-scoring close game, and those three plays could be in the spotlight if TCU doesn’t pull this one out.

This story was originally published November 19, 2016 at 1:12 PM with the headline "The big moments are not going TCU’s way against OSU."