‘It’s never easy.’ OU’s Riley, TCU’s Patterson ready for another football chess match
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley has established himself as one of the top offensive minds in college football. TCU coach Gary Patterson continues to be recognized as one of the top defensive coaches.
Both coaches have immense respect for each other and relish the opportunity to match wits each season. So far, Riley has had the upper hand by going 4-0 against Patterson and TCU since taking over at OU in 2017 (three regular-season victories and a victory in the 2017 Big 12 championship).
But Riley doesn’t take winning against Patterson for granted. He knows it’ll be a challenge to extend his record to 5-0 on Saturday in Fort Worth. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
“I’ve said it many times, there’s nobody in the country defensively that I have more respect for [than Patterson],” Riley said this week. “I think he just does a tremendous job year in and year out. It’s never easy against those guys. That’s for sure. It is a fun challenge for both our coaches and our players.”
If there is any year where OU is susceptible, this is probably it. The Sooners lost consecutive games to Kansas State and Iowa State, and needed four overtimes to knock off Texas.
Part of it is on inexperienced quarterback play by freshman Spencer Rattler. Rattler is a highly touted player with great potential, but has gone through the expected growing pains as a first-year starter with five intercepetions.
And, as Patterson said, the expectation level for the Oklahoma quarterback is almost unattainable right now, especially for a freshman. Riley had consecutive Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield (2017) and Kyler Murray (2018). Jalen Hurts was a Heisman finalist last season.
“It’s no different than Max Duggan a year ago. It’s harder for a freshman,” Patterson said of Rattler. “He’s progressed and they’re still one of the leaders in the nation scoring points. They have a very high standard [for QB play] like we do here at TCU on defense.
“I think you put him against three Heisman candidates and winners ... it’s not very fair. But he’s going to be a really good player. I like the way he does things. He’s got a great skill set and he’ll be a really great quarterback here in the conference.”
Patterson went on to acknowledge he’s excited to face Riley’s offense again, regardless of who is at quarterback. It’s always an interesting matchup that requires a number of in-game adjustments.
Oklahoma jumped out to a 21-0 lead last season, but TCU adjusted and allowed just one touchdown in the second half. The Frogs ended up losing 28-24, but simply being in it was a feat given the early deficit.
“It’s always an interesting ballgame,” Patterson said. “You better come with an open mind so you can change. Last year we were down 21 points and we had to adjust our defense, then we were able to slow them down.”
Patterson looks back on that game proud of his defense for creating three turnovers, including a 98-yard pick-six by safety Vernon Scott in the fourth quarter, but isn’t pleased to recall OU rushing for 366 yards.
“They ran for far too many yards last year, but we were able to keep them out of the end zone,” Patterson said. “That’s one of the things — you have to make Oklahoma earn everything.”
