TCU at Oklahoma State: Prediction, pick, odds, TV channel, live stream, watch online
An early-season Big 12 game already has major conference and national implications
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2 min read
The Big 12 game of the year is scheduled for Nov. 4. That's Bedlam between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in Stillwater. But that game of the year will only be the game of the year if the Sooners and Cowboys can make it there unscathed. Oklahoma State has its first conference challenge in Week 4 when it hosts TCU.
If you like great coaching, this game should be the epitome of it. Mike Gundy and Gary Patterson are two of college football's more underrated CEOs, which means this is shaping up to be a tremendous matchup of minds. Oklahoma State has a potent offense with a half-dozen playmakers capable of scoring at any time. TCU brings in one of the Big 12's better defenses with its own offense (49 points per game) to boot.
Viewing information
Date: Saturday, Sept. 23 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium -- Stillwater, Oklahoma
TV: ESPN | Live stream: Watch ESPN
Storylines
TCU: There's been so much focus on Oklahoma and Oklahoma State as the preseason conference title favorites that TCU was all but forgotten. The Horned Frogs have a chance to change that. Patterson's defense is statistically one of the best in the conference -- tops against the run -- and is loaded with experience. Defending against this balanced and explosive Oklahoma State team will be difficult. The Cowboys are second in the Big 12 in chunk yardage plays (10 yards plus) and tied for first with plays of at least 20 yards. However, the Frogs' defense has allowed the fewest explosive plays of anyone in the conference against the pass. If TCU can somehow contain the Pokes, who had four 100-yard receivers against Pitt, it will have a chance.
Oklahoma State: Pitt was supposed to be Oklahoma State's first real test. Yeah ... about that. The Panthers may not be great, but winning 59-21 in a name-your-score game is the type of soul-crushing performance that only the most dominant teams can pull off. Oklahoma remains the perceived team to beat, but Oklahoma State can continue closing the gap with a quality win over TCU. Quarterback Mason Rudolph is officially a Heisman Trophy candidate, so his march toward and invite to New York would be bolstered by a strong performance against the Frogs' defense.
Mason Rudolph is laughing after a pick, that's where we're at
— THICC KEN (@edsbs) September 16, 2017
Prediction
I've already mentioned the quality of TCU's defense. Oklahoma State has a decent group on that side of the ball, too. The competition hasn't been fierce, but this unit has been excellent at getting pressure on the quarterback (seven sacks, 11 quarterback hurries) and takeaways (six). Of course, it helps when you're ahead the whole game. Literally, Gundy's team hasn't trailed once this year. Does that change against the Frogs? If so, how does Oklahoma State respond? Does it expose any weaknesses in the defense that weren't previously known? This is an interesting matchup. TCU has the firepower to stay with Oklahoma State, but will it play clean enough football? The Cowboys win, but it's not their usual blowout. Pick: TCU +11.5
