Image via Brownsville Herald
Not particularly.
That isn’t meant to belittle the competition and I certainly recognize that a team like TCU is capable of having some success against OU. If enough right things happen for them and enough wrong things happen for OU, then they could win. But the chances of that, in my estimation, aren’t quite good enough to warrant major concern. Here is my rationale:
TCU’s OFFENSE
For the most part, TCU appears to be the same team as it was last year in terms of it’s strengths and weaknesses. They are doing some different things schematically and with respect to the personnel groupings, but they still seem to have some of the same issues I recall from last year’s team.
– Run Game: While TCU may want to be a more physical team and seeing more double tight sets could be indicative of that desire, they aren’t there yet. They continue to be somewhat weak in the interior part of their offensive line and it’s hard for me to imagine them having much success running between the tackles. Where they do have some success is getting their speedy backs outside the tackles. Problem is…OU’s defense is fast from sideline to sideline.
– Run Game: Following up on the point above, Trevone Boykin is obviously a great runner. He is a master at capitalizing on any open lanes created by over-pursuing undisciplined defensive lineman. I fully expect to see him flying in the open field on more than one occasion against OU this weekend. But will it be enough? I don’t believe so.
– Pass Game: There has been talk of Boykin’s progression as a passer from last year to this year. Personally, I don’t see a significant step forward. He still seems to lack touch on his deep throws, though he will almost invariably cash in on an impossible throw here and there. The routes he’ll need to be sharp on against OU are his stops, short outs, and slants. OU plays a lot of shuffle technique on the outside, so these routes are more likely to have some success if a QB is consistent, accurate, and times his throws. Unfortunately for TCU, Boykin isn’t any of those things. Again, he’s capable of getting hot but I don’t see a QB with the passing skill set to consistently take what the defense gives him.
TCU’s DEFENSE
Under Gary Patterson, defense is synonymous with TCU. They’ve been good on that side of the ball for a long time, which has made it easy to borrow money. As most of you know, TCU structures their front and the two sides of their back end in a way that allows each of these respective parts of the defense to function independently. That tends to be the focus of most discussion surrounding TCU’s defense. The ability of each section of the defense to make an independent call allows the defense to operate with more complexity within a very teachable structure. But to me it’s the second part of the previous sentence that really speaks to the strength of their defense. The first part is more about how TCU gets where everyone else gets. In other words, other teams have split coverage calls and variations in what they do up front. But TCU teaches it in a way that allows their young players to absorb it quickly and get as many meaningful reps as possible.
– Leverage: Through repetition athletes understand leverage or position on their opponent. TCU’s defenders are really good at maintaining good leverage on the ball throughout the game. Oddly enough it was a moment of leverage weakness that sealed TCU’s fate against OU last year. If I recall correctly, the safety took a poor angle and the ‘Clay Maker’ housed it.
– Outside Coverage: TCU has great speed on the edges at the outside cornerback position, and they play with good technique. Unlike OU, for example, they are more willing to play their corners in a technique that keeps them closed and square throughout the route progression. And they have the athletes that can open up and run with anyone.
– Interior Run Defense and Interior Coverage: Chucky Hunter and Davion Pierson (former Millwood DL) do a great job against the inside run game. They are both big, strong, physical guys that can move well enough to stunt and create some (though limited) pressure in the pass game. For the most part these guys have protected the guys behind them and allowed TCU to give their LBs more coverage responsibilities. This has limited the underneath passing game for opponents and also kept their safeties as true over the top defenders instead of putting them in one-on-one match-ups. I’m not convinced they have great interior pass defense from the safety position, but I’m also not certain OU has the Jalin Saunders-type receiver to test them.
CONCLUSION
In the past couple years, TCU has played Oklahoma very close. So some of you may be thinking “if TCU is the same team as they were the last couple years, then why all the confidence?” Mainly because OU isn’t the same team. Defensively OU is better where it matters, up front. The secondary isn’t elite at this point, but I’m not sure I see the passing threat from TCU to expose any weaknesses. Offensively, OU is better in the run game and that’s really the key to this game for me.
If OU can, and I believe they will, run the ball well enough to force TCU’s LBs commit to the run game early, there should be more space than we are accustomed to seeing against TCU. In the past, TCU has really done a good job defending OU’s run with their front. My prediction is they are going to have a lot more trouble defending it this year.
Two OU Players I’ll be Watching: Samaje Perine and KJ Young. TCU wants to defend the slot with underneath coverage, but I think Samaje and the OL will create more space for Young.
132 Comments
Nice breakdown… What’s your prediction?
Dont have a score prediction just yet but I’m guessing OU wins comfortably (by more than 10). I like TCU’s defense. But I always like their defense. Just think OU has some elements on both the offensive and defensive side that make them a much better team than they were last year and allow them to dictate certain things they couldn’t do last year.
I do agree with the LBs committing to stop the run only to have a pass zipped over their head. Would love to see Bell or anyone expose the middle. It would be great to see Shep play in the slot this game as I feel he would have a monster day. I see us wearing them down late in the game and controlling the ball to kill the clock.
AGREE! Did OU forget about that seam route they used to run with Trent Smith, Jermaine Gresham, James Hanna etc. Would love to see Bell set to block then slip his guy right down the seam then you got a 6’6″ 260lb Belldozier going like a runaway freight train!
That is what I want to see also. Been begging for it.
I hope you’re right and if ou can control the line of scrimmage then you should be right. So do you think our offense should attack that space between the linebackers and safeties or are they rangey enough to make plays in the middle of the field.
Another great job of breaking down the opponent Super K!
will knight be able to lob pass to Shepard against these dbs?
OU 17-14 at the half. Perine and the OL take over in the 4th 31-17 F
That was my exact prediction.
Great minds
I was hoping one of the players you were going to say Blake Bell. I want to see our tide ends come to life this game.
I really am looking for Ross to have a big game you mentioned Clay and his long run last year I see Ross with a chance to cut back on some plays for big runs. I know Perine will get some big carries and hopefully soften that interior. We know TCU will focus on Perine as well.
I can see this game going much like Tennessee and WVU did. We may battle them a bit in the first half, but Mike Stoops makes some of the best halftime adjustments of anybody out there and I believe he’ll do it again. We’ll pretty much stone them in the second half and win by 13+.
Good work. You hit the points that I think give OU the edge. We all know that Patterson is a great defensive coach. Still, I think OU has the edge along the OL to eventually wear the TCU front down, as we did WVU. This may be a game where the OU coaches have to loosen up the frog defense with some small doses of Trevor. I wish we had Ford as I think the one two punch of Ford and Perine is a lot to handle and as the season wears on the OU running game should only get better, much better.
I like the way you summed up the frog offense. The key to me is that this offense hasn’t yet been challenged. The non-gauntlet of Samford, Minnessota and SMU isn’t a test at all. These are cream-puffs and OU’s defense isn’t a cream puff. I just like how OU matches up with the frogs.
I will stick with my 35 – 17 Sooner win.
What channel is the game on again?
Fox
Thanks, wasn’t sure if it was Fox or Fox Southwest.
Great write up. Thanx. As for our D, I think it goes beyond just having great athletes, but having great athletes in a system they now understand and are comfortable with and which features their strengths. They’re not thinking as much but reacting to ball and getting there fast. TCU’s D will trouble us for a while, but OU’s D will terrorize TCU.
Game score Predictions??
Ill take the Sooners, 45-17
BOOMER!
I’ll say Good Guys over the Horny Toads 35-24
SOONER!! 31-13
SOONER! I’ll take OU 38-17 with OU’s Defense getting a score!
That’s the score I was thinking too.
BOOMER SOONERS = 30
little horned creatures = 20
We get a score from a TO and so do they. We stop them on downs more than once. We kick more field goals than we normally do.
I have OU #1 in my national standings. No coach in college football is more respected by me than Stoops. Trevor Knight amazes. But I have bad news for you. Everyone here underestimates TCU, which is typical. TCU 31- OU 30.
and warranted. what has TCU done (since entering Big 12) that has warranted actual respect? Playing OU close? Those were different teams, for both squads. Not saying they cant pull an upset, i’m just sayin.. But thanks for the prediction! however unpopular.. lol
Jack Clifton Walters, you da man! you suck, but you da man!
remember the rose bowl. wisc was better than okla.
different squads entirely. And that wasnt OU vs TCU. That was TCU vs Wisc.
Stoops is 3 for 4 against TCU, winning the last 3 in a row..
what you dont understand is TCU has only 9500 students.the networks are a cabal about money. TCU has to be overboard to force a fair . In 2010 there was no choice. The pundits of ESPN are paid hacks. only DESMOND HOWArd is for real.lets see this year. what a shame that BAYLOR or TCU WILL LOSE. I was a linesmaker back in 85-95. just remember if you bet go on the side against the pubics perception. I t will be pushrrrred by thephoney analysts on TV.
This game is at TCU and they certainly have surprised in the past. I am betting it is a tad bit closer, diff only 7 or 8 points. But the only way we lose this one is if turnovers and/or special teams gets away from us.
Great write-up, again, K. Much appreciate your analysis. My main concern about TCU is simply Patterson’s history of sometimes taking a clearly overmatched team and somehow inspiring them or coaching them to a victory they shouldn’t have. But, having our defense firing on most or all cylinders makes that much less likely.
Also, unlike those who think Trevor isn’t accurate, I think he is. Most of the errant passes that I looked at appeared to be the result of receivers either taking a different path than he expected, or getting disrupted/delayed earlier in the route, or being slightly gimpy, resulting in misses, sometimes narrow ones. I think those things will get ironed out, and his “improvement” in accuracy will have extremely positive results in how consistently the offense moves the ball.
Trevor is what he is. He has a tendency to be inaccurate and a tendency to throw perfect darts. Consistency has been the issue. It’s coming. I see the diffenence in him from La Tech to WVU.
No question that, as you say, Trevor has room for improvement, but,
Two plays to Shepard where Shep very possibly ran to the wrong spot, or at least not the spot Trevor was expecting. Another where Shep fell down. A long pass to KJ Young, where KJ appeared to be slowed for a split second early in the crossing pattern as the other receiver goes in front, while the ball is already in the air, probably causing the pass to arrive before he did. Three incomplete passes that hit guys in the hands. That’s half of the incompletions, not counting the ball that looked like it just slipped out of Trevor’s hand, and the possibility that Shepard was hobbled by a quarter of a step on the go route that was too long by two feet, he was definitely limping hard prior to the play.
None of this is conclusive, but I’m just saying that you can easily take a close look at the video and come away with the notion that Trevor is more consistently accurate than might appear at first glance. All the receivers are new this year except Shepard, and he’s at a new position. I think it’s more of a “communication” issue, than an accuracy one. Hence my optimism. Time will tell.
He has also tried to force a couple where there has been open/better options.
just a casual fan, but patterson is good at causing us problems, see the last 2 yrs…….would feel a lot better if we had shown a passing game to be feared but tk and receivers are real hit-and miss so far………..
This is true.
Yes, so we’ll need to put the fear of Shepherd in them early and then pound their line. I think one of the reasons for our success in fourth quarters is superior conditioning, but there is no doubt that keeping another team’s D on the field for more minutes then they would like to adds greatly to their fatigue. As does huge, and hugely powerful, running backs especially when coupled with a bruising O line pushing people around. Dadgum it, BOOMER! I just excited myself a little. Ahem.
I wish that I could be more optimistic about our running game but I dont see us having the same success that we did against WVa. TCU is a whole other animal defensively. I hope Im wrong.
TCU is definitely better than WVU defensively. But they are also definitely worse offensively.
So, they’re better than WVU on D…does this mean that Perine only gets 180yds.?
Yes…after contact.
I know TCU always has a very good defense, but what I’m not sure of this year is there depth at D-Line. They lost a couple key guys before the season and while these guys that have stepped up have done a good job I wonder what is behind them. This has me firmly in Super K’s camp of not being to worried. It may be tight for awhile but if you don’t have good depth at D-Line against this O-Line of OU then by the middle of the 3rd and throughout the 4th quarter they will be pushing guys 3,4, even 5 yds off the ball. I see another Big Day for the RB’s and I think TK9 even pulls 1 or 2 of those zone read plays out and runs for good yards just to put it in the Horns mind that they have to watch for it next week.
Great article as always.
I watched the WVU game again and I was surprised that they attacked Chuka on the run and were able to push him off the line more than expected. I was expecting them to run at Striker but not the case in that game.
Our offense really won’t be “multiple” until either 1) Bell or Flowers learn to block consistently (inexperience) or 2) Rip becomes Bell or Flowers catching. Our formations right now are more predictable based on personnel.
Also, what got into Hayes this year that he is playing like an all star?
I think we are going to handle TCU more easily than people think, IF TK doesn’t make errors throwing. I think sans errors we win decisively.
If you look at stats going into this one, you think oh crap. But don’t forget who they’ve played, Samford and SMU?? Samford put up 14 on ’em.
I am going to go with:
OU 27
TCU 13
How did we miss out on gettin Davion Pierson smh
What I’ll be watching:
1. Really curious to see how coaches use Perine after that last performance, and, how Perine handles the load the second go ’round…can he repeat, or (god forbid for TCU) even top himself? (assuming he gets 20+ carries again.)
2. At least 1-2 big plays from Ross, somewhere. He seems to have taken a back seat in the backfield (which I feel he should have) but the dude has supreme talent, and heart, as he finds a way to make a positive impact on almost every game, and in a big way. I applaud his relentlessness and look forward to more big plays.
3. A full 4 quarters from Knight. It appears, at least to my eyes, that Knight plays 2-3 quarters a game in a fantastic fashion, but then he’ll have at least 1 quarter, to where he is “off” just a bit; this has potential for disaster at some point. When this guy puts together a full 4 quarters, and on a consistent basis, I pity the opposing teams, as this could be Bob’s most dangerous team ever.
4. This Defense. I’ll certainly be watching this defense with glee, and expecting TOTAL domination. Anything less from this unit, and frankly, I’m left a little disappointed. 6 sacks, multiple hurries, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT, and a blocked kick, should suffice just fine. 🙂
5. The crowd. Will anyone be wearing college-team-themed Ebola protective suits? Would make for an interesting telecast. Lets go TCU student section…
I’ve said this before, probably not on this site but on others. Heupel being the OC is hurting our QB corp. I feel like it is taking him away from something I think he is one of the best at….QB Coach.
Are you saying Landry stopped improving the second Heupel went up in the booth? Crazy talk I tell you.
Yeah, I know just a little Captain Obvious.
1. cmon big fella
2. awesome shout out
3. good point
4. you shoot low…haha
5. million $ idea
good stuff. i like it
I’m being a little bit of a wet blanket, but #5 would be pretty insensitive. Ebola is a horrible way to die, and there is an actual human being that is probably going through hell right now in Dallas dying from it. The joke would probably be lost on him.
The normal zone read OU: 35-14
The faux zone read OU: 24-21
How OU could lose:
1. Turnovers, obviously.
2. Offensive 3-and-outs. With Walker and Dimon out, depth at DL is an issue and if the O doesn’t ever let them rest, I could see issues. Like Andrew notes below, the QB run could go a long way toward reducing 3-and-outs.
TK must step up: either he needs to have a good day passing, or they need to let him run. With either of these, I’ll be eating less Tums in the 2nd half.
Tim Brando and Brady Quinn have OU on upset alert. I thought that was silly. Tim Brando also thinks that Perine is the third best RB in the nation, in front of Melvin Gordon…
OU on ‘upset alert’ every weekend at sEcSPiN unless it’s a directional school. The only reason I care AT ALL about what they say is their spin has an effect on other media and voters.
That said, I worry every weekend. Just my nature. Beer me.
Dido. Beer me, right in the face.
I agree with you in that I’m not very concerned about this one. Just like WVU game, I look to Bell to have a big game. Apparently a slow learner, but hopefully Josh will put him in play soon. Just watched WVU again last night, plenty of times Bell was quite open…JUST THROW IT TO HIM!!! There were times where TK was impatient in the pocket and got rid of it long before he needed to, where Bell came open with just a little patience. But still…JH needs to call more plays to make that the focus IMO. Bell could have a field day soon if unleashed.
30-17. Good guys.
how is it we have a smaller line(4.5) vs #25, than the tide do(6.5) vs #10? Both OU and bama are on the road, so that cant account for the spread difference.
Sports books are probably also aware that we have NEVER lost in ft worth.
Honestly, the line on ole miss and TCU would probably be a pickem at a neutral site, yet there is 15 spots difference in the polls between them.
This SEC bias is really, really getting old.
Please don’t say the “never lost..” line, I was at the OU/Baylor game in Waco when they beat us for the first time. I still have nightmares…
heh, sports books are very aware of trends, and that is one im sure they considered in making the line.
Im not worried about jinxing it =)
Vegas doesn’t care all that much about rankings per se. They probably value TCU higher than Ole Miss, and also note how historically TCU plays us tight while Ole Miss always fails to deliver vs. Bama.
oh i know, they use their own power rankings. What im saying is that TCU and ole miss are probably really close in their personal power rankings(the lines prove that), but they arent close in the AP polls.
no one but SEC fans think ole miss is a legit top 10 team. TCU is much better than 25th as well.
Yep. Just saw another episode of ESPiN’s College Football Daily, and once again they pretended the Big 12 didn’t exist. It was a wall-to-wall SEC orgasm. Once again, football apparently isn’t played in flyover country.
Wouldn’t it be awesome if 2 sec teams made the playoff, let’s say a&m and bama. We get a&m 1st and beat em somewhere around 45-10 and then get bama for the title and beat em again, this time around 38-6. I wanna beat the absolute turds out of em at their own game, if that’s how they wanna continue to play it. What will you say on your shows when your stacked deck blows up in your face and Bob’s there to say “hello”?
its getting to be too much to bear, really. I dont think OU winning a natty this year would put any dent in the SEC machine at all.
How are TCU on special teams; think Ross or Shep can take a punt to the house if we keep their offense deep in their own territory? Do they have a reliable kicker or will they be forced to go for it on 4th if the field goal is in the 3-45 range??
their special teams are outstanding. oberkrom is one of the best kickers in the nation.
Oberkrom is reliable from 50+ yards.
Good job, K.
I recall Clay’s game clinching TD run, it was their OLB #41 who didn’t keep his “fit” and Clay cut it back to the opening. The cameras showed Patterson chewing on that OLB’s hindy like it was a Slim Jim.
Unless or until the passing game makes defenses pay for loading the box OU will continue to see that tactic. To this point Coach Hoop hasn’t had to delve very deep into the play book and it is clear that he does observe defensive tendencies of our offenses tendencies. He hasn’t had to show too much and while it often looks “vanilla” I have the gut feeling that starting this week our conference foes will have more and more to contend with.
How do they key the jet sweep? Is it a sweep, a reverse, a double reverse or a WR pass? On the WR pass from Neal to TK, Bell was in the back of the end zone wide open waving his arms.
Do they respect the QB zone read or crash on the RB?
I expect to see more offensive plays and sets than we’ve seen so far. On defense I expect Boykin to be under more duress than he has all season and anticipate the defense will take advantage.
I have to judge my emotions and thoughts, and currently my gut says not to worry; my head reminds me it is a road game, the ball is a prolate spheroid subject to odd movements, TCU is a ranked conference opponent and plays tough minded defense. I expect a win as long as the Sooners make few mistakes and capitalize on TCU mistakes, while containing Boykin. The fact that Boykin is their leading rusher has to be unsettling for the Frogs.
Excellent commentary. I have same sentiments as you.
Thanks.
I also don’t do game scores, but will say I think the Sooners are 3 TDs better overall than TCU….barring the unpredictable.
I suggested on another site that OU would win by more than just one score, and a frog fan nearly had a coronary. They seem really high on their offense this year. Seem to think beating up on Samford is significant. I really didn’t want to argue with the guy but thought it was curious how confident their fans are already.
It has been my experience that their fans are a lot higher on them than they should be.
The Frogs also believe they have yet to open up the playbook, so their offense has a lot more potential than what’s it shown. I guess that’s true for just about every team.
http://www.frogsowar.com/2014/10/1/6881609/punch-drunk-love
5 out of the last 7 plays of the game against Minn, Boykin is PASSING! (except the one last play of the game they had the ball, a one possession play to end the game.) Doesn’t sound like they are not opening up the O to me.
This seems to be a trait of Big 12 fans…Baylol, lOSUr, texsa, and now TCU…it really makes it hard for me to root for these guys when they play OOC.
I believe you misspelled TCU. 🙂
LAWL. Fixed…thanks.
Very nice fix!
Not me. I’m a HUGE Big 12 fan. Definitely want the Big 12 to win. It helps OU. To pull against them is to pull for the SEC and against OU, IMO.
Agreed.
I wish all of our conference opponents were undefeated when we play them. I know that’s not possible, just have a thing for crushing souls an’such.
We held a very good Minnesota tailback to 41 yards. This same back lit up Michigan’s number 8 in the country’s defense for 183 yards. I think OU will have some success running because they have a good O-line and talented backs but if TCU can force them to pass – our secondary is better than OU’s receivers. I saw a lot of commentary from Sooner fans that “TCU’s offense is terrible”, Oklahoma has yet to face a dual threat QB as dangerous as Boykin. TCU will spread the field and this year we have a very, very deep receiving corps that will exploit OU’s average secondary with their speed when getting the ball against man coverage.
I don’t know about using the word “terrible” to describe TCU’s O, but they are “below average” for a Big 12 O. Minnesota is the only team they’ve played, and Minn is nothing to write home about, but against Minn, TCU’s 3 TDs were from the Minn 18, 27, and 39, respectively. Of the 3 FGs, one was from a fumble recovery at the Minn 31 and TCU only moved the ball 3 yds b/f kicking the FG. Two times did they move the ball about 50 yds to kick a FG. I don’t think that’s an impressive O. The D got 5 turnovers. They scored, but I don’t think the O looked impressive at all, against a Minn team that had EIU and MTU have about the same amount of pts (w/o the defense’s help), same amount of 1st downs, same amount of points, as TCU. To me the TCU O looks the same as usual, and OU’s defense might be the best ever under Stoops, at least the best under Stoops in the wide open offensive world in which we now live.
Yes why are Oklahoma fans and analysts in general saying that the Sooners are better than last year and TCU is not? I don’t know about everyone else but I watched every single TCU game last year and the offense was horrible against nearly everyone. I can honestly say we are 100 percent better than last year even though we are not elite on offense yet.
Trevor Knight is only completing 59 percent of his passes. That stat should go way down against TCU. Tennessee and WVA don’t exactly have good defenses by any stretch of the imagination and Oklahoma;s defense was exposed against WVA as far as I’m concerned. TCU wins in a close game but our defense ends up being too much for Sooner nation in the end.
Completely agree with this. I also hate predicting scores. But as we all know, the unpredictable………….
I like to think in terms of a number that OU has to get to where the opposing team cannot overcome that score. Like pro golfers when they think of a number to post that will win the tournament on Sunday. In this game I think if OU gets to 30 points we win. I just can’t see TCU getting to 30. I think they will get to 20 or so, but not 30. I think we can if we avoid too many mistakes on both sides of ball.
I agree on 3 TDs better. I just didn’t want to sound like a homer, but I feel good about this game like you indicated.
I agree. Excellent commentary by both Eas Tex and Super K. I, like them, am not as worried about this game as usual despite the last two yrs close games. Maybe I’m deluded but I think OU wins by 14+ and it’s not close. I hope we can do like we’ve done so far and not have to use TK running or open up the O playbook b/c I know they are daily working on plays they have not used so far. I’d rather not use them at all until the playoffs, but think we could have to show some of our hand against TCU, KSU and Baylor. Those plays work better if opponents don’t have film on them to practice and drill into the players how to play them. Would love to jump on them early like we have other teams and coast like we have in other games so far and listen to the fans complain about not running TK. When the fans complain about TK not running, or Bell getting enough passes, and we are coasting to wins, I’m feeling good about the team making the playoffs.
Don’t know where to put this today. But Frank Alexander has been suspended for an extra 10 games.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000403988/article/panthers-frank-alexander-suspended-10-games
Why do you think our bigger wideouts haven’t made an impact yet? Seems like this game would be great for them. On another site, someone mentioned that some coaches in the big 12 are not very impressed with our wr’s/route trees, could you speak to accuracy of this? Is what we run fairly complicated or rather easy?
Can’t comment on the route trees, but our backups have to consistently catch, block and go 100% away from the ball before they will see action. So far, that hasn’t been happening in practice so they aren’t seeing field-time in games.
I’m not sure about our route combos. I’ve thought they could be better in the past but I think they’ve been better this year than the last 2 or 3. And I think the 2 years before that you would be able to credit a guy like broyles for the success our passing game had because of how special he was.
As far as why the big wide outs have not been involved I would just chalk that up to inexperience. And to me the best way to gain that experience is to play them so I’m not sure I like the approach we’ve taken. But I think we are intentionally keeping it simple so we can add wrinkles later.
Stoops commented in the presser that he specifically took time in practice last wed. to tell those guys that if they didn’t start delivering in practice (better), he wasn’t going to take a chance by putting them in games.
I will take a 3 point win.
College football is win and move on. Just win and move to the next one. If you get to the end of the season undefeated, good things will happen more often then not.
Not worried about this one. We have a better O line, our defense is much improved, we have a dominating run game, we have Mayfield…..whaaaaaaa?. Mayfield has ran the offense that TCU has installed, he knows the detail of every play and what it’s purpose is. He is reviewing film with Mike and helping him game plan and emulating it on the scout team. I expect a solid win and have beer to celebrate with or cry in if a turd appears on the field.
I keep seeing replays of Boykin making beautiful TD passes in a clean pocket and all the time in the world.
If there is any “scat” on the field it just might be his.
Funny how a perfect game plan can end up in the litter box when your QB is knocked off his game. I hope we get him rattled and the LB’s are ready to meet him in the lane.
We shall see how accurate his passes are when he is on the move with Grissom in his face and Striker on his six.
Smash Perine becomes a household name after this one. LB comes to meet him in the hole and gets a face full of buffalo thigh.
I will be watching for the first meeting between Perine and the Frog safety Carter.
And I’ll be waiting for the tremors.
Seismic or bodily?
Yes.
If dude played for Georgia or Bama, or any SEC team, he’d already be a household name..
You have spoken truly, my friend.
Wonder if frog legs were on the athletic dorm buffet this week?
I’ll have some at Pappadeux after the game
Since we have been inconsistent on 3rd downs, I’d like to see Shep moved back into the slot on 3rd downs. He picked up many 3rd downs last year from his slot position.
I’m not worried the Sooners get better every game. Always improving moving forward. Bob.knows it’s a long season a head. It’s all about the peak. We need to see more and more how Bob will lead this team. Patients sooner nation. These guy’s are so hungry and angry. Being called overrated, Baylor thinking they are more than what they are, 1 conference championship WOW. Yea I say our guy’s will be in the mood. Especially after coming off a weeks bye, after a hell of performance in W V. what I’ll be watching the 2nd half to see the effect of optimus. See who is the brave one that slows down the closer he gets to Perrine.
45 – 17 OU! #BoomerSooner
Why would I be worried!?
Same TCU offensive players that took 3 1/2 quarters to get a first down?
Let’s hope your players are as close minded and over confident as you are and they are thinking because the team bus made it to the stadium from the hotel – are you ready to forfeit the game just because we are OU?. New Offensive Coordinators, totally different offensive philosophy/scheme, much improved O-line, very, very deep receiving corps with speed, the best dual threat most dangerous QB you will likely face all season.
Defensive much? You are right Boykin isn’t nearly as dangerous as Worley… But yes better than the other 3 qbs OU has faced…
As a TCU fan, I’d like to congratulate you on a very well-written and balanced article. Nice work.
I also agree with your conclusion (except as regards safeties – we’re strong there) – by rights, OU should win this. An argument could be made that OU is the best team in college football right now, and they’re certainly better than TCU. That said, the better team doesn’t always win, and I’ll be rooting for my Horned Frogs to stay undefeated.
See you all on Saturday!
Also, if TCU does pull off the upset, and Boykin continues to lead the team in passing and rushing, we could be looking at a dark horse candidate for postseason awards. That’s probably not that interesting to you OU folks, but just remember that you heard it here first.
Jalin Saunders? Really?
Expect better from TFB
TFB is the BEST!
BOOMER!
I hadn’t heard he was cut by the Jets. Good news to see the Cards take a chance.
Most of the pundits picking an upset over OU…AGAIN !!! LOL I don’t know too much about football, but I know that OU isn’t the same team as the past couple of years. I like to watch TCU play, but OU is now playing the right people, at the right size, and at the speed that all of our new coaches have been working on. None of the pundits act like they’ve even watched OU this year. As someone said, OU gets labeled as perhaps the best team in the country on Sundays and then get picked to be upset the next Saturday. I will be surprised if TCU pulls it off.
What? TCU is trying to turn into an air raid team, not a physical one. Offense is completely different. On a different note though, I am extremely excited to see the running game of OU take on TCU’s defense!
WHY DIDNT OU GO FOR FIELD GOAL???
I here in Canada bet a pro line legal giverment gambliong ticket where I bet a t I e in the iu/ tcu game
a tie means it is within 3 points WHY WITH 3 MINUTES TO GO DID OU NOT GO FOR A FIELD GOAL, AND THEN TRY TO GET ANOTHER ONE??
INB MY MIND COMPLETELY SILLY! I CANNOT UNDERSTAND AT ALL!!
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TRY TO ASIST IN EXPLAINING WHY THEY WOULDNT TRY THERE LUCK AT 2 FIELD GOLAS IN 3 MINUTES?
HONESTLY YES MY JUDGMENT MY BE SWAYED AS THIS “TIE” WITHIN 3 POINTS EITHER WAY STOOD ME TO WIN AN VERY VERY V E R Y PRETTY PENNY.. BUT LOGIC WOULDA SAID KICK THE FG AND TRY TO KICK A 2ND ONE DOWN THE ROZD??
I DONT GET IT
AND THE WAY IT TURNED OUT THEY GOT DOWN THERE IN FG RANGE 2 TIMES ANYWAYS
I AM SOOOOO HAPPY THAT T C U WON ANYWAYS.. GREAT TEAM.. PLAYED ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.. IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT OU HAD A SPY SPYING ON THEIR PLAYBOOK.. GRTEAT GAME.,.. WOULDA BEEN NICE TO LAND WITHIN 3 POINTS, AS SHOULD AHVE
Oopsie Diasy. ; )